Gangrene of lower limb

Gangrene of the lower limb is the necrosis of a certain leg segment, accompanied by cyanosis of the skin or a change in color to a black hue. This is due to a sharp cessation of oxygen supply or its intake in an amount insufficient for normal circulation.

The causes of gangrene include the effects of external and internal factors. External factors include mechanical damage to the limb, burns or frostbite, effects of radiation or hazardous chemicals such as acid, arsenic. Internal factors leading to gangrene include vascular occlusion due to thrombus formation, soft tissue spasm, infection penetration.

Gangrene of the lower limb can be dry or wet. The first type implies the desiccation of the limb due to a sharp cessation of blood flow. With wet gangrene, the leg fester and become soft. In this case, the person is tortured by convulsions, and then there is lameness.

The first sign of gangrene is expressed in the numbness of the limb, partial loss of sensitivity, while the paleness of the skin is manifested . Inaction at this stage leads to a discoloration of the skin to blue, black or even green. With dry gangrene, the patient experiences acute pain in the leg. The affected area of the body is curled and gradually torn away. There are cases when a putrefactive microflora is formed, as a result of which the gangrene of the lower limb is transformed into a moist form. Then the general condition of the patient significantly worsens, because the foot begins to emit an unpleasant odor due to the disintegration of the tissue and terribly sick.

In medical practice, gangrene is most common in diabetes mellitus. With constant movement on the foot, a small ulcer can form, which the patient usually does not even notice because of the decreased sensitivity of the skin. Such a neoplasm, as a rule, exists long enough, slowly developing and penetrating deep into the skin. Once the ulcer reaches the bone or tendons, it damages them, which leads to further tissue death. The most common reason for leg amputation is diabetes, so if you have this disease, you should carefully follow the foot and be examined regularly by a doctor.

When choosing a method of treating gangrene, a specialist relies on the degree of development of the disease. If the stage of the disease allows, then with amputation it is possible to wait and try to save the leg by bypassing the arteries. This is an extremely complicated microsurgical operation, thanks to which it is possible to keep the patient's leg. If this procedure is successful, it means that the blood flow to the leg is restored and the dead tissue can be treated with a medicamentous method. For a complete return of all functions a person undergoes a course of massage, exercise therapy and physical therapy without fail.

Gangrene of the lower limb is a problem that can be dealt with. And in the fight, all methods are good, so trying the traditional medicine does not hurt. Previously, from the first signs of gangrene got rid of using a compress with clove oil. Bacteria of fermented milk products can also become serious helpers in getting rid of the disease. To do this, several times a day, apply gauze, soaked in curdled milk. Decoction of cherry fruits is used as an external remedy, it takes about half an hour to simmer the medicinal herb on a low heat in the proportion of 1 tablespoon of fruit per glass of water. With moist gangrene, the leaves of the juniper are good, they are applied to the affected area as a powder.