Limb Preservation

At the Hartford HealthCare Heart and Vascular Institute, we use a team-based approach to provide the best experience for patients with wounds of the toe, foot or ankle.

For patients with chronic or severe wounds of the toe, foot or ankle, amputation is a major concern; for those with risk factors such as diabetes or atherosclerosis, that risk can be as high as 20 percent per year.

Treating the wound itself is only the start of the healing process – our limb preservation programs look at the whole patient and address many contributing factors such as blood supply, diabetes control, infection prevention and rehabilitation to ensure your long-term limb health.

Hartford HealthCare’s Limb Preservation Programs, with locations in central and eastern Connecticut, offer convenient access to an integrated team that promotes wound healing, addresses underlying risk factors that may be putting your leg health at risk, and takes a coordinated approach to preventing amputation. 

Speak with a Specialist

To speak with a specialist at The Hospital of Central Connecticut, call 860.224.5425.


To speak with a specialists in eastern Connecticut, call 860.425.5347.

From Referral to Diagnosis

If you have a concern about your foot or leg health – whether it be a wound, ulcer or pain while walking – reach out to the Hartford HealthCare Limb Preservation Program closest to you.

You’ll work with a specially-trained nurse navigator or advanced practitioner who will serve as your point of contact and guide throughout the diagnosis and treatment process.

Based on your individualized needs, you may be scheduled for non-invasive tests that will advise your course of treatment, including blood pressure screenings, ultrasounds, and other tests that evaluate the quality of blood flow in your limbs.

After testing, your nurse navigator or advanced practitioner will set up the appropriate consultations with a wide range of experts that may include podiatrists, endocrinologists, wound care specialists, vascular or general surgeons, and more.

Should you end up needing surgery, your nurse navigator or advanced practitioner will also coordinate the recovery process, including rehabilitation, fitting of orthotics, and routine follow-ups.

Treatments and Technology

The Limb Preservation Program at Hartford HealthCare is committed to offering cutting edge therapy right in your community. Our providers may recommend a variety of treatments, including:

  • Angiograms-minimally invasive outpatient procedure where a tiny camera is inserted into your blood vessels through a small puncture in your groin to obtain pictures of any blockages that may impede healing. Your provider may use specially designed technology that can open blocked blood vessels including stents, cutting devices, and balloons.
  • Surgery-a variety of complex surgical treatments to improve blood flow to the wound, clean or close unhealthy tissue or open wounds, or remove non-healing tissue or bones.
  • Advanced wound care-the wound care center at The Hospital of Central Connecticut offers a number of cutting-edge treatments including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, negative pressure therapy, synthetic skin grafts, and more.

No matter the course of treatment, we believe that great care can be provided quickly, easily and close to home.

If Amputation is Necessary

Our team is committed to doing everything we can to prevent amputation, but sometimes that outcome is unavoidable.

If amputation is required, we connect you with resources to get you up, walking and functioning as soon as possible, whether it be physical therapy, prosthesis fittings, or amputee support group.

Learn More

System strength saved a Salem butcher, Adam Richotte

Adam Ritchotte, who has worked at Salem Prime Cuts for three years, had a beef shoulder on the stainless steel table. With a six-inch boning knife to separate meat from bone, he made one long, smooth cut from the top, down toward him. As he neared the bottom, the knife slipped and plunged directly into his groin, near the right hip, almost to the hilt. Without thinking, he pulled it out and clamped his hand over the wound.
See what happened next >>

Locations

Plainville

Hartford HealthCare Heart and Vascular Institute – Vascular Surgery

201 North Mountain Road, Suite 201

Plainville, CT 06062

Drs. Ayach and Shah

New Britain

The Hospital of Central Connecticut

100 Grand Street

New Britain, CT 06052

Drs. Ayach, Shah, Napoletano and Lakomski

Norwich

Hartford HealthCare Heart and Vascular Institute – Vascular Surgery

111 Salem Turnpike Route 82, Suite 8

Norwich, CT 06360

Dr. Gifford


Backus Wound Care Center

111 Salem Turnpike Route 82

Norwich, CT 06360

Dr. Courtright


Backus Hospital

326 Washington Street

Norwich, CT 06360

Dr. Gifford and Courtright

Winsted

Mystic

Hartford HealthCare Heart and Vascular Institute – Vascular Surgery

100 Perkins Farm Drive Suite 301

Mystic, CT 06355

Dr. Gifford

Groton

Hartford HealthCare Medical Group

85 Poheganut Drive

Groton, CT 06340

Dr. Courtright

Meet our Limb Preservation Specialists

Edward Gifford

4.8

Vascular Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
More Locations
Norwich, CT 06360
Mystic, CT 06355
Darren Courtright

5

Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine

Medical Group Backus Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center
Norwich, CT 06360
More Locations
Willimantic, CT 06226
Parth Shah

4.9

Vascular Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute - Vascular Surgery
Plainville, CT 06062
More Locations
New Britain, CT 06052
Mouhanad Ayach

4.9

Vascular Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute - Vascular Surgery
Plainville, CT 06062
More Locations
New Britain, CT 06052
Winsted, CT 06098
Christina Lakomski

 

Vascular Surgery

Medical Group The Hospital of Central Connecticut Family Health Center - Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine
Bristol, CT 06010
More Locations
New Britain, CT 06052