What You Need to Know about Critical Limb Ischemia
May 12, 2026
Categories: Heart & Vascular, Heart, Vascular, Cardiovascular Disease
What is critical limb ischemia?
Critical limb ischemia is a severe, late-stage form of peripheral artery disease that can lead to gangrene, amputation and even death. Peripheral artery disease is a common circulatory issue in which arteries become narrowed, reducing blood flow to the limbs (often the legs), causing leg pain, skin ulcers, and sores.
If peripheral artery disease is not diagnosed and treated early, plaque can build up and damage the leg arteries, leading to critical limb ischemia. Both peripheral artery disease and critical limb ischemia require comprehensive treatment by a vascular specialist. These conditions will not improve on their own.
Symptoms of Critical Limb Ischemia Include:
- Pain or numbness in the legs or feet
- Skin sores that won’t heal
- A decrease in the temperature of your lower leg or foot
- Skin that looks bluish or black due to tissue death
Treatment Options for Critical Limb Ischemia
Early detection and diagnosis are key to achieving positive outcomes. Treatment options for critical limb ischemia include medications, endovascular treatments, arterial surgery, and – as a last resort – amputation.
Medications may help slow disease progression and manage contributing conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Arterial surgery involves opening the artery and removing the plaque to restore its function. In some cases, amputation of a toe, part of the foot or the leg may be necessary. Amputation occurs in roughly 25% of all patients with critical limb ischemia.
Minimally Invasive Procedures at TMH
Endovascular treatments are the least invasive treatment option and involve inserting a catheter, or thin tube, through an artery in the groin to access the diseased portion of the artery. One common procedure is angioplasty, which uses a tiny balloon at the tip of the catheter, which is inflated to push the plaque against the artery walls, widen the artery and improve blood flow. In some cases, a stent is placed to help keep the artery open.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) offers advanced endovascular options, including two innovative limb-saving procedures – LimFlow and DETOUR. TMH was the third hospital in the nation to successfully perform a LimFlow procedure in November 2023 outside of clinical research and trials. We are the only hospital in the region offering this innovative, life-changing procedure. The LimFlow System allows vascular specialists to connect an artery in the calf to a vein near the foot, restoring blood flow to the feet.
The DETOUR procedure enables vascular specialists to perform minimally invasive endovascular femoral-popliteal bypasses, thereby avoiding traditional open leg surgery. With DETOUR, specialists create a bypass around the blockage without large incisions. Patients often recover quickly and can return home the same day, rather than spending up to four days in the hospital with traditional surgery.
Life-Saving Care at TMH
Richard, a recent patient of William C. Dixon, MD with TMH Physician Partners, Services by Southern Medical Group – Cardiology, comes from a long family history of critical limb ischemia. Both of his grandfathers and his mother required leg amputations due to the condition.
About eight years ago, Richard began experiencing intense pain in his left leg. His medical journey outside of TMH began with multiple angioplasties and two vascular surgeries. At another medical facility, he was told his only option was amputation. Richard was devastated.
After sharing this news, a friend encouraged him to see Dr. Dixon, who determined that amputation was not necessary and recommended treatment. He performed an angioplasty that restored blood flow through Richard’s leg and foot. Just one week after the procedure, Richard was walking and feeling better than he had in years.
Richard said that Dr. Dixon reopened arteries that had been blocked for five to seven years. He is grateful for the care he received and the outcome that changed his life.
When to Seek Care
If you think you may be a candidate for minimally invasive treatment for critical limb ischemia, ask your primary care physician for a referral to TMH Physician Partners, Services by Southern Medical Group – Vascular Services.
