“If I had gone in sooner, maybe I wouldn’t have lost my toe.”

It’s a sentence we hear far too often, and not because patients don’t care about their health. In many cases, it’s because they didn’t know the risks or didn’t have access to the right care in time. For Americans living with diabetes, this delay in diagnosis and treatment can have life-changing consequences.

At Southern VIP, we specialize in limb-saving vascular treatments, and we’re on a mission to educate and empower our Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky communities because too many people are losing legs, toes, and feet when they don’t have to.

The Numbers Are Alarming

African Americans are nearly four times more likely to experience a diabetes-related amputation compared to white Americans. That’s not a statistic—it’s a public health crisis. It means that for every patient who walks into our clinic, there’s a higher chance they’ve been living with undiagnosed Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) or untreated diabetic wounds for far too long.

But why? The answer isn’t simple, but it’s clear: a combination of genetics, lifestyle choices, and delayed access to care puts lives and limbs at risk.

Diabetes + PAD + Diet = A Dangerous Combination

Diabetes doesn’t just affect your blood sugar. Over time, poorly managed high blood sugar and cholesterol damage the blood vessels and nerves, especially in your legs and feet. This can lead to Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)—a condition where the arteries become narrowed and restrict blood flow to your limbs.

When you don’t have enough blood reaching your feet, even a small cut or blister can spiral into a non-healing wound. And when wounds don’t heal, infections develop. That’s when amputation becomes not just a possibility, but sometimes, the only option left.

Unfortunately, PAD often goes undiagnosed until it’s advanced. Many patients think the tingling in their legs or the pain while walking is just a part of aging. They don’t realize they could be showing signs of a serious vascular issue until it’s almost too late.

Why the Risk Is Higher in African American Communities

Several overlapping factors contribute to the increased risk of amputations in African American individuals:

1. Higher Rates of Diabetes and PAD

African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and to develop PAD. This may be linked to genetics, environmental influences, limited access to healthy food, safe places for exercise, or preventive healthcare.

2. Delayed Diagnosis

Many people go years without knowing they have PAD. That’s especially true in underserved communities where access to routine vascular screening is limited. By the time patients see a specialist, the arteries may be severely blocked and the tissue damage irreversible.

3. Mistrust in the Medical System

Some patients are hesitant to seek early intervention or don’t feel heard when they raise concerns. That leads to fewer screenings, missed warning signs, and less preventive care.

4. Healthcare Access Inequities

Specialist care isn’t always available close to home. Transportation, cost, and lack of insurance can all make it harder for patients to get timely help. The result? Treatable problems become emergencies.

The Signs You Should Never Ignore

If you or someone you love has diabetes, it’s critical to recognize the warning signs of poor circulation and PAD early. These may include:

• Pain or cramping in the legs while walking or at rest
• Numbness or tingling in the feet
• Sores or ulcers that don’t heal
• Coldness in one foot compared to the other
• Shiny skin, hair loss, or changes in toenails

These might not seem serious at first, but they’re often the first indicators of restricted blood flow. At Southern VIP, we urge all patients to get evaluated the moment these symptoms appear.

Learn more about PAD and its symptoms

How Southern VIP Is Changing the Story

We believe that no one should lose a limb because of delayed care. Our clinical staff are specially trained to catch PAD early, restore blood flow, and help patients avoid amputation. Depending on how advanced PAD is, it can be treated through lifestyle modification or through our Foot Rescue Procedure.

Foot Rescue at Southern VIP:

Using advanced imaging and minimally invasive procedures, our interventional radiologists can reopen blocked arteries, restoring blood flow to your legs and feet. These procedures often require no major surgery and little to no downtime.

Patients like “Spiderman”, Larry Mitchell, who came in for a spider bite and discovered advanced peripheral artery disease (PAD), have seen life-changing results. With fast intervention, we were able to save his legs and his independence.

Read more about this life-changing story

What You Can Do Right Now

If you’re reading this and you or a loved one has diabetes, here are three actions you can take today:

1. Schedule a vascular screening. Early detection can save your limbs—and your life. Choose a vascular specialist who’s experienced in treating PAD. Schedule here.
2. Manage your diet and exercise. Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference.
3. Monitor your feet daily. Look for cuts, color changes, or slow-healing sores. These can be signs of more advanced PAD.

FAQs

Can diabetes alone cause amputations, or is PAD always involved?

Diabetes increases the risk of nerve damage and poor circulation, but PAD is often the underlying reason wounds don’t heal. Both conditions together dramatically increase amputation risk. That’s why vascular screening is so important.

Is amputation always necessary if there’s gangrene or infection?

Not always. If caught early, procedures like our Foot Rescue intervention can restore blood flow and help save the limb. But timing is everything. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chance of avoiding amputation.

What is Foot Rescue at Southern VIP?

Our Foot Rescue is a minimally invasive outpatient treatment for PAD that improves blood flow in the legs and feet. It utilizes advanced imaging, targeted interventions to restore circulation, and coordinates follow-up care to support long-term healing. No hospital stay is required. Patients go home the same day.