Acute limb threat

Question 1

what is acute limb ischaemia?

Answer 1

Sudden loss of blood supply to a limb (emergency usually)

Question 2

describe mottling in acute limb ischaemia?

Answer 2

The purple discolouration of the legs due to the den-oxygenated blood
It may be blanching mottling - goes white with finger pressure

Question 3

What 3 things does diabetic foot sepsis encompass?

Answer 3

Diabetic neuropathy
Periperheral vascular disease
Infection

Question 4

What do the 3 things encompassing diabetic foot sepsis lead to?

Answer 4

Tissue ulceration, necrosis and gangrene (tissue loss)

Question 5

what is the source of sepsis in diabetic foot sepsis?

Answer 5

Simple puncture wound - allow infection in
infection from the nail plate or inter-digital space
From a nero-ischaemic ulcer (occurs on areas of increased pressure i.e. under the metatarsal heads)

Question 6

Why is infection a problem in feet?

Answer 6

Infection gets into the small compartments of the feet
Pus builds up
Cant get out
Causing further ischaemiac and tissue damage
Leading to sepsis and eventually limb loss.

Question 7

what might be some symptoms of diabetic foot sepsis?

Answer 7

Deep sighing breathing - due to build up of CO2
Tachycardic
COnfused

Swollen digits 
Painful 
Tenderness
Redness - tracking up the leg
Ulceration - oozing 
Patches of necrosis

Question 8

what must you ensure you do when surgically managing a diabetic foot?

Answer 8

You remove all infected tissue

and leave wound open to encourage drainage

Question 9

Diabetic foot sepsis is a problem of ‘______’ rather than ischaemia?

Answer 9

Pressure