SerenaGroup® WalkOn2 Program
SerenaGroup’s Mission is to develop a comprehensive team of experts that will establish the most effective treatment plan tailored to fit each patient’s specific needs, with particular focus on preventing amputations. This team approach provides timely assessment and intervention for patients at risk for amputation due to trauma, infection, peripheral arterial disease, diabetes, and end stage renal disease. Having a dedicated center of experts has proven to optimize healing, improve functionality and quality of life, and significantly reduce amputations.
“According to the Amputee Coalition, approximately 185,000 amputations occur in the United States each year and a staggering 3.6 million people will be living with an amputation by 2050.”
The Purpose of the SerenaGroup® WalkOn2 Program
Our programs are designed to heal complex wounds and improve quality of life. Years ago, the treatment option for most patients with a chronic, non-healing wound was amputation. Without our team approach and advanced technologies, there was little to no viable means of healing a chronic wound and saving a limb. Thankfully, through considerable advances in technology and research through the SerenaGroup® Research Foundation, we have made it possible to safely treat chronic wounds without resorting to limb removal. In many cases, limb salvage can occur with little or no long-term affects on limb function or quality of life.
Customarily, the limb at risk for amputation is a lower extremity that has been compromised by diabetes, vascular disease, trauma, peripheral arterial disease, cancer, or neuropathy. Any patient having any one or several of these issues, would be a candidate for our WalkOn2 Advanced Limb Preservation Program. The primary goal of the program is to prevent amputation, improve quality of life and reduce mortality rates in patients with lower extremity wounds.
“According to the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, a foot or leg amputation costs between $30,000 and $60,000 in initial hospital costs, plus between $43,000 and $60,000 in costs for follow-up care.”
Experts are part of the SerenaGroup® WalkOn2 Program
The WalkOn2 Limb Preservation Program is led by a team of advanced specialists that works in collaboration to save patients from major amputations. This specialized team approach allows for more comprehensive and timely interventions.
There is a wide range of specialists who may be involved in the WalkOn2 Limb Preservation Program. These specialists include but are not limited to:
- Foot and ankle surgeons: Responsible for removing infected tissue, when applicable, and performing reconstructive surgery when lower extremity deformities are present
- Orthopedic specialty surgeons: Surgeons who specialize in the musculoskeletal system and may need to perform implant surgery to replace bone
- Vascular surgeons: Subspecialty surgeons who perform procedures such as endovascular surgery (e.g. Angioplasty) to help promote the healing of wounds by improving blood flow
- Infectious disease specialists: Manage complex and often resistant infections requiring the administration of IV antibiotic therapy
- Internal medicine doctors: Manage underlying medical conditions that can contribute to a high risk of amputation, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or heart disease
- Endocrinologists: Specialize in the treatment of diabetes and help patients maintain normal blood glucose levels, which promotes wound healing
- Plastic surgeons: Perform specialized reconstructive surgery for large wounds or tissue defects in complex wounds
- Occupational therapists and physical therapists: Help patients regain as much physical function as possible to encourage independent and improve quality of life
Contact SerenaGroup®
The WalkOn2 Program is an incredible value to the patients and your facility. We can no longer afford the status quo approach to caring for patients with chronic, lower extremity conditions that are life threatening and over taxing our healthcare system. It’s not easy…It takes teamwork, commitment, collaboration, and constant communication. Contact us to learn more about the WalkOn2 Program.
