| SKIN INVOLVEMENT: MAIN MENU |
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| Gangrene (Death of Tissue) and Amputation |
| This page was written by Shelley Ensz, and has not yet been medically edited. Systemic scleroderma (SD) and Raynaud's affects everyone differently. Just because something is listed here does not mean an individual patient will ever experience it. See Disclaimer. |
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| Gangrene Overview |
| Digital ulcers can develop gangrene and lead to amputation. Thus Raynaud's prevention and prompt and careful treatment of digital ulcers is absolutely essential. |
| Gangrene is the medical term for tissue death (necrosis). Types of gangrene include: Wet, Dry, Gas,and internal gangrene. Dry gangrene is due to reduced blood flow through the arteries in the arms or legs. It appears gradually and usually does not involve infection. The affected tissue becomes shriveled, dry and dark in color. MayoClinic.com |
| Causes of Gangrene |
| Causes of Gangrene. The death of tissue that defines gangrene begins when a section of the body loses its blood supply. It is often the result of a serious accident in which an arm or leg is crushed. Less commonly, it follows an internal blockage, such as a clogged or obstructed artery. HealthSquare |
| Systemic Scleroderma, Smoking and Gangrene |
| Severe cases of scleroderma and Raynaud's may cause a total lack of blood supply to the extremities. When this happens, necrosis (death of tissue) and gangrene may set in, sometimes making it necessary to have the affected part(s) amputated. |
| Gangrene sets in more frequently among scleroderma patients who smoke or use caffeine, because such substances further constrict blood vessels. |
 Scleroderma Care and Research Journal (PDF) This journal for physicians focuses on elevating the standards of care for digital ischemia in scleroderma. Articles include The Genetics of Scleroderma: What Every Rheumatologist Should Know, as well as Digital Ulceration and Critical Digital Ischemia in Scleroderma. Journal of the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium (SCTC) Vol 1, No. 2, Winter 2003 (Also see: Genetics and Scleroderma and Scleroderma DNA and Family Registry) |
| Prevention of amputation caused by rheumatic diseases following a novel therapy of exposing bone marrow, occlusive dressing and subsequent epidermal grafting. Exposure of bone marrow cells plus an occlusive dressing accelerates the healing of skin ulcers. PubMed. Br J Dermatol. 2005 Apr;152(4):664-72. |
| Smokers With Systemic Sclerosis Risk Severe Digital Vascular Complications. Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who smoke are three to four times more likely than are never-smokers to incur digital vascular complications, researchers in England have found. Doctor's Guide. 1/24/03 Arthritis & Rheumatism 2002;46:12:3312-3316. (Also see: Digital Ulcers) |
| Photos of Gangrene |
 Gangrene Photos ISN Photo Repository |
| Amputation/Gangrene Personal Stories |
| Some of these stories are included in the ISN's Voices of Scleroderma book series. |
| Aziz: Surviving Son of Gangrene Patient (India) What I am writing now is something even more horrible than what you might have read in a Stephen King's scariest of novels. My father died of gangrene... |
| Bill Jordan: Surviving Boyfriend of Scleroderma Patient Wendy was heartset on dancing that evening even though she was connected to an oxygen machine... |
| Cheryl: Surviving Daughter of Systemic Sclerosis Patient Around three o'clock in the morning when all her pain medication finally gave her a reprieve, she looked over and asked me to come sit next to her so that she could see me... |
| Crissie: Surviving Sister of Scleroderma Patient Seek out a doctor who specializes in this disease as soon as you know you have it... |
| Doni: CREST Syndrome The doctors were always interested like, "Wow look at this," but since I had no insurance, they would not touch me... |
| Johnny: CREST Scleroderma I have just won the fight to save my left foot. I spent the previous year and half fighting to save my big toe, but it had to go, because the pain was so unbearable... |
| Judy King: CREST Syndrome A neurosurgeon performed a Digital Sympathectomy on my right hand and, thank God, my finger was saved... |
| (Update) Kathy Baker: CREST - Systemic Scleroderma Two weeks later I was back in surgery where he amputated the entire index finger... |
| Linda W: Surviving Daughter of Scleroderma Patient All she wanted was for others to learn of this disease and know her story. She requested this about two weeks before she died... |
| Lynn F: Raynaud's and Scleroderma So on November 11th my finger was amputated just above the top knuckle. Unfortunately, an infection set in... |
| Lynsey: Daughter of Patient with Scleroderma and Lupus My mother has had all but four fingers amputated, all of her toes on her left foot and her right leg up to her knee has been amputated... |
| Nathalie: Lupus/Scleroderma I arrived at the hospital with two black fingers. They had gangrene and I was very worried about having an amputation... |
| Pam: Systemic Scleroderma for 27 Years (Australia) I have had several amputations... |
| Sarah B: CREST Scleroderma I lost the tips of my baby finger and thumb. The other three fingers do not look too pretty, either... |
| Susie: CREST Syndrome I have had CREST syndrome for the past eight years. My specialist is Dr. Frederick Wigley, from Johns Hopkins... |
| Submit your story! |
| Also see: Personal Stories (Main Collection). ISN. |
| Related Pages |
| Digital (Finger) Ulcers ISN. |
| Personal Stories (Main Collection) ISN. |
| Photos of Scleroderma Symptoms ISN Photo Repository |
| Raynaud's: Treatments: Severe Cases ISN. |
| Scleroderma Skin Involvement ISN. |
| What is Raynaud's? ISN. |
| What is Scleroderma? ISN. |
| Media Stories |
| Amputee Hopes To Encourage Others. In 1994, Barb Smith of Valley Grove was diagnosed with Scleroderma. A cut on her finger wouldn't heal, concerning doctors. The State Journal. 10/11/07. |
| Leeches, maggots and parasitic worms can play healing role. Leeches are back into good repute as an accepted treatment for circulatory difficulties in the microsurgical reattachment of skin or body parts. Maggots, are used to remove or "debride" dead tissue in a process called "maggot debridement therapy". 72 percent of patients with autoimmune inflammatory bowel diseases who downed a Gatorade cocktail containing parasitic-worm eggs found symptoms relieved within three months. The Seattle Times 08/04/04. (Also see: Digital Ulcers and Bowel Involvement) |
