Wound center staff wears white socks to honor amputees and advocate for early diagnosis for patients with PAD.
Benton, KY – September is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Awareness Month, and Marshall County Advanced Wound Clinic is celebrating by raising awareness with one simple tool: a white sock.
The white sock symbolizes the many patients with late-stage PAD who received an amputation due to delayed treatment. The center staff have pledged to closely partner with other clinicians involved in the PAD care pathway to ensure high-risk patients are properly diagnosed and treated before it is too late.
“PAD is largely under-recognized, and the amputation rates associated with the disease remain unnecessarily high. “That’s why we wear our white socks—to encourage everyone to be proactive in their health. Know the risk factors and classic warning signs of PAD, check your feet daily and seek medical attention if a wound arises.”
Affecting more than 8 million Americans over the age of 401, PAD occurs when arteries in the legs become narrowed or blocked by plaque buildup, reducing blood flow to the limbs. When blood flow is limited, patients are at a greater risk for developing wounds. In addition, without healthy circulation, the oxygen and nutrients critical to successful healing are unable to reach those wounds. Left untreated, PAD can result in serious consequences, including amputation and death.
Marshall County Advanced Wound Clinic at Marshall County Hospital treats all wounds, including PAD-related wounds. The multidisciplinary team features clinicians with advanced training in wound care.
Marshall County Advanced Wound Clinic at Marshall County Hospital is open Mondays from 8AM 12-noon. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 270-906-9975
Referral is not required.