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Wound Care Specialists Aim to Save Limbs, Lives
July 12, 2011
LimbSTAR physicians and specialists join to increase survival rates among at-risk diabetics
According to physicians at the Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Treatment Center of Utah in association with Salt Lake Regional Medical Center, diabetics with ulcers are more likely to die within five years than patients diagnosed with breast or prostate cancer. Studies have shown it is possible to improve the odds with a team approach to wound care.
Due to the many factors which contribute to the development of a diabetic ulcer, no single physician can effectively deal with all of the complications. Several studies have demonstrated that a multidisciplinary team of specialists is the ideal way to treat diabetic foot ulcers and decrease limb amputations, which is why a team of specialists from across the Salt Lake Valley has joined to form LimbSTAR (Limb Saving Treatment and Rehabilitation). LimbSTAR physicians work together to help patients whose legs are threatened.
LimbSTAR physicians and their specialties include:
- Dr. Doug Wirthlin and Dr. Matt Whitten, vascular surgeons, to address blood flow.
- Dr. Tim Beals, orthopedic surgeon, and Dr. Scott Clark, podiatrist, to lessen deformities and remove infected bone.
- Dr. Mark Oliver, infectious disease specialist, to fight infection.
- Dr. Terri DeJohn, wound care specialist with expertise in hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
- Dr. Jim Chamberlain, diabetologist, and Lacie Peterson, registered dietitian and diabetic educator, to tightly control blood sugars.
- Dr. Lee Chick, plastic surgery, and Dr. Marta Petersen, dermatology.
There are approximately 26 million people in the United States with diabetes. Almost 19 million are aware of it, while 7 million are unaware they have a potentially life-threatening disease. If current trends continue, by 2025 one third of those born today will become diabetic in their lifetime.
Generally unknown is the fact that diabetics with ulcers have five-year survival rates worse than breast cancer, prostate cancer and lymphoma. A diabetic with neuropathy (decreased feeling) and an ulcer has about a 50 percent chance of being alive in five years. Unhealed ulcers commonly result in limb amputations, which further increase mortality rates. Aggressive intervention to treat the ulcer and other underlying disease, which complicates the ulcer, will improve survival to 72 percent at five years.
A free community seminar featuring Dr. DeJohn discussing treatment options will be held Thursday, July 14, at 6 p.m. in the Moreau Auditorium at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center, 1002 E. South Temple in Salt Lake City. To RSVP for the seminar, call 866-431-WELL (9355).
LimbSTAR specialists understand that saving a limb impacts both the quality and length of life. For more information, call the Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Treatment Center of Utah, at (801) 582-4268.
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