Amputation Prevention Center
Foot and Ankle Clinics at Broadlawns Medical Center

Diabetes and foot ulcers are the main factors leading to the amputation of a limb in the United States.

The Amputation Prevention Center at Broadlawns Medical Center is a Center of Excellence in Iowa, treating patients with conditions that place the limb at risk for amputation. Our physicians are nationally known lecturers and authors specializing in lower extremity complications of diabetes.

The Center offers comprehensive diagnostics and state-of-the-art treatment for patients with limbs at risk.  In order to prevent amputations, specialized care provided by a team of specialists is necessary. Our staff is comprised of physicians, nurses, an orthotist/prosthetist and other team members who specialize in the treatment of at-risk limbs and feet. We also work in conjunction with vascular surgeons to diagnose and treat circulation problems in the legs and feet.

Inpatient and outpatient services are offered and staff is on-call for emergencies 24 hours a day.

The Amputation Prevention Center at Broadlawns provides two main services:

PREVENTION

Comprehensive Foot Ulcer Risk Assessment
People with diabetes who have not yet suffered foot complications are placed into risk categories. These categories give the patient an estimation of their likelihood of developing a foot ulcer over the next two years.

Everyone with diabetes should have a yearly foot examination and the American Diabetes Association recommends an examination of the peripheral (upper and lower extremities) circulation every five years.

We use advanced tools to check for sensory loss in the feet, circulation in the extremities and foot deformities or joint problems that may increase the risk of developing wounds.

Personalized plans to prevent foot ulcers help keep patients active with the use of protective shoes, foot thermometers and one-on-one education. As needed, we refer patients to neurologists, vascular surgeons, endocrinologists or other specialists to support their limb preservation programs.

TREATMENT

Specialized Treatment of Limbs at Risk for Amputation
What may be considered a “minor” problem for non-diabetics can be a signficant risk factor for amputation in a diabetic patient. Just as some heart attacks are “silent,” foot problems are commonly “silent” attackers for people with diabetes. Foot ulcers, infections and circulatory problems place the limb at risk for amputation.

Broadlawns' Amputation Prevention Center provides outpatient and inpatient care for people with an at-risk limb. These patients require attention to their nervous system, cardiovascular system, immune system and orthopedic structures of the feet, as well as to their nutritional status and diabetic control.

The Center utilizes the latest technologies and treatments including hydro scalpel, stem cell therapy, maggot application and negative pressure wound therapy. Frequently, the at-risk limb requires one or more surgical procedures to restore blood flow, limit infection or improve function. In addition, our surgeons have vast experience with Charcot foot reconstruction using external fixation.

In cases where amputations are necessary to prevent the spread of infection, we concentrate on preserving as much function as possible, to keep the patient active.

If you’ve been offered an amputation or have diabetes or other concerns about your feet or legs, please call us.

For appointments, call 515-282-WALK (9255)
For physician referrals, call the paging operators at 515-282-2200

Amputation Prevention Center Staff Biographies

Lee C. Rogers, DPM
Nicholas J. Bevilacqua, DPM
Denise M. Mandi, DPM
Vincent J. Mandracchia, DPM, MS