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Diabetic, Hypertensive, Neurological Complication, CRF Patient Under CAPD. Leg Edema Increased, Foot Turning Black
Question: My brother, 72, is a CRF 5 patient under CAPD. His leg edema increased and foot turning black in color. What action should I Take? He also has Neurological complications. He is diabetic (15+15 units of insulin) and hypertensive. Recently PP sugar level shooted up to 385 and was brought down to 225 today by increasing insulin to the level given above.
Dear friend, welcome and thanks for entrusting your query here at Healthcaremagic!
I am Dr. Prasad Akole (Critical Care Expert- http://bit.ly/Dr-Prasad-Akole) and am glad to address to your query here.
Uncontrolled diabetes, CRF needing CAPD and neurological and end stage organ damage in such case usually cause gangrene in the limbs.
Does he have any fever, blisters on the discoloured limb?
Does he have any sensation in the discoloured area? Does he have severe pain in the limb? Is it colder than the rest parts?
Swelling and blackish discolouration indicates impending gangrene or a vascular occlusion.
You should immediately get him evaluated for any arterial occlusion if there is cold, sensation loss, pain in the limb.
Another possibility is infection.
Such patients have poor immunity and can go worse rapidly.
Please see your doctor to rule out these possibilities. A surgical consult may be asked for.
Depending on the degree of affection may need debridement or amputation sometimes.
It would greatly help if you could upload all the above requested info and a photo of the affected limb here using the uploading service available on this site just below the text box. You can email the reports / images to
YYYY@YYYY
with subject- (Attn: Dr. Prasad Akole)
Do not neglect. May need hospitalization.
I hope to have answered your query satisfactorily. I would be glad to answer any further queries.
Take care and please keep me informed of your progress at http://bit.ly/Dr-Prasad-Akole
Good Luck! Thank you!!
I am Dr. Prasad Akole (Critical Care Expert- http://bit.ly/Dr-Prasad-Akole) and am glad to address to your query here.
Uncontrolled diabetes, CRF needing CAPD and neurological and end stage organ damage in such case usually cause gangrene in the limbs.
Does he have any fever, blisters on the discoloured limb?
Does he have any sensation in the discoloured area? Does he have severe pain in the limb? Is it colder than the rest parts?
Swelling and blackish discolouration indicates impending gangrene or a vascular occlusion.
You should immediately get him evaluated for any arterial occlusion if there is cold, sensation loss, pain in the limb.
Another possibility is infection.
Such patients have poor immunity and can go worse rapidly.
Please see your doctor to rule out these possibilities. A surgical consult may be asked for.
Depending on the degree of affection may need debridement or amputation sometimes.
It would greatly help if you could upload all the above requested info and a photo of the affected limb here using the uploading service available on this site just below the text box. You can email the reports / images to
YYYY@YYYY
with subject- (Attn: Dr. Prasad Akole)
Do not neglect. May need hospitalization.
I hope to have answered your query satisfactorily. I would be glad to answer any further queries.
Take care and please keep me informed of your progress at http://bit.ly/Dr-Prasad-Akole
Good Luck! Thank you!!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you doctor for your prompt reply. I am furnishing info asked by you.
Q: Does he have any fever, blisters on the discoloured limb?
A: No fever or blisters.
Q: Does he have any sensation in the discoloured area?
A:He has full sensation in the discoloured leg.
Q: Does he have severe pain in the limb? Is it colder than the rest parts?
A:No severe pain and it is not colder than other limbs. But generally pain in both legs cannot be denied. (Other leg is not discoloured, left leg)
He had a small fall from chair about 10 days ago. X-ray did not show any fracture. Warm water fomentation makes this better, including colour.
His story is : In 1974, three months after marriage, he developed vision problems and treated with ACTH (heavy dose) and there after with prednisolone upto 60mg per day etc.. In three months time he got sight cured and got into Quadriplegea. After 18 months of toiling with Ayurvedic treatments, he came back normal. He was walking, driving and living a normal life till 1999. He retired 10 years after 1989, when his wife died due to cancer. Slowly his walking became less and till 2005 he was managing to walk. 2006 onwards till 2012 he moved by wheel chair only. Now even that is not there.
Any more information, if required, I would be glad to give.
XXXXXX
Q: Does he have any fever, blisters on the discoloured limb?
A: No fever or blisters.
Q: Does he have any sensation in the discoloured area?
A:He has full sensation in the discoloured leg.
Q: Does he have severe pain in the limb? Is it colder than the rest parts?
A:No severe pain and it is not colder than other limbs. But generally pain in both legs cannot be denied. (Other leg is not discoloured, left leg)
He had a small fall from chair about 10 days ago. X-ray did not show any fracture. Warm water fomentation makes this better, including colour.
His story is : In 1974, three months after marriage, he developed vision problems and treated with ACTH (heavy dose) and there after with prednisolone upto 60mg per day etc.. In three months time he got sight cured and got into Quadriplegea. After 18 months of toiling with Ayurvedic treatments, he came back normal. He was walking, driving and living a normal life till 1999. He retired 10 years after 1989, when his wife died due to cancer. Slowly his walking became less and till 2005 he was managing to walk. 2006 onwards till 2012 he moved by wheel chair only. Now even that is not there.
Any more information, if required, I would be glad to give.
XXXXXX
Thanks for the update XXXXXX!
This nearly rules out any major vessel occlusion.
The possibility of infection can not be ruled out.
Other thing is skin bleeds/ bruise due to fall from chair.
These people have deranged clotting or platelet dysfunction and may easily bruise due to bleed below the skin.
If uploading a good photo here is not possible, it is better to show the treating doctor to look for any serious developments.
Sugars also may remain high if there is additional infection (without fever).
May have to check coagulation (clotting). Ask if he is on any aspirin etc.
This nearly rules out any major vessel occlusion.
The possibility of infection can not be ruled out.
Other thing is skin bleeds/ bruise due to fall from chair.
These people have deranged clotting or platelet dysfunction and may easily bruise due to bleed below the skin.
If uploading a good photo here is not possible, it is better to show the treating doctor to look for any serious developments.
Sugars also may remain high if there is additional infection (without fever).
May have to check coagulation (clotting). Ask if he is on any aspirin etc.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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