Diabetic Limb Salvage — Hernando & Southaven, MS
Limb salvage is the coordinated effort to save a leg that is at risk of amputation. We combine advanced wound care, vascular partnership, infection control, and reconstructive foot surgery to keep patients walking.
Diabetic limb salvage means doing everything possible to prevent a major (below- or above-knee) amputation. Roughly 85% of major amputations are preceded by a foot ulcer — the majority are preventable with focused, structured care.
Foot Health Centers is a limb salvage referral center for DeSoto County and the greater Memphis area. We routinely see patients who have been told a major amputation is unavoidable and, in many cases, can save the leg or reduce the surgery to a toe or partial foot amputation.
Our program combines weekly wound care and debridement, vascular coordination for revascularization, culture-directed antibiotics, offloading, reconstructive surgery to fix underlying deformity, and long-term protective footwear so the salvaged limb stays healthy.
- Urgent limb salvage second opinions
- Weekly advanced wound care & sharp debridement
- Vascular partnership & revascularization referral
- Culture-directed antibiotics (oral or IV)
- Toe, ray, or transmetatarsal amputation to save the limb
- Charcot reconstruction and tendon balancing
- Total contact casting and custom offloading
- Long-term diabetic shoes, bracing, and monitoring
- You have been told you need a below-knee or above-knee amputation
- Diabetic foot ulcer that will not heal
- Recurrent foot infections or gangrene
- Prior toe amputation that failed to heal
- Charcot foot deformity with ulceration
- Cold, painful, or discolored foot suggesting poor circulation
- Amputation recommended elsewhere — call for a second opinion before consenting
- Black or dead tissue on the foot or toes
- Fever with a foot wound
- Rapidly spreading redness or drainage
- Sudden cold, pale, or pulseless foot — go to the ER
Frequently asked questions
What is limb salvage?
Limb salvage is the coordinated medical and surgical effort to save a leg at risk of major amputation. It combines wound care, vascular care, infection control, and reconstructive surgery — often including a smaller toe or partial foot amputation — to preserve as much functional limb as possible.
How successful is diabetic limb salvage?
With early referral, most diabetic limbs at risk can be saved. Success depends on circulation, infection control, and consistent offloading. Even patients with prior toe or partial foot amputations can usually keep walking.
Do you accept urgent limb salvage referrals?
Yes. If you or your family member has been told a below-knee amputation is needed, call 662-449-3663 the same day. We provide urgent limb salvage second opinions for patients across DeSoto County and the greater Memphis area.
Do you work with vascular surgeons?
Yes. Restoring blood flow is often the key step in saving a limb. We coordinate directly with vascular surgeons for bypass or endovascular procedures when circulation needs to be improved before wounds can heal.
Can you save a foot that already has a black toe?
Often, yes. A black toe usually needs to be removed, but the rest of the foot can frequently be saved with timely surgery, infection control, and vascular care. Do not wait — call for evaluation.
Foot Health Centers
Hernando, MS 38632
Foot Health Centers
Southaven, MS 38671
Request an appointment
Same-week appointments usually available for new or non-healing wounds.
Ready to Get Relief?
Call Foot Health Centers to schedule your visit in Hernando or Southaven.