Signs of Gangrene: What Does Artery Blockage Lead to in the Foot?

Gangrene is death of tissue because it does not receive enough blood or because of infection. In the feet the most common causes are artery blockage and diabetes. Gangrene does not appear suddenly; it usually develops at the end of a vascular disease that has lasted months, so recognizing early warning signs is important.

Early warning signs: pain in the calf or foot when walking that goes away with rest; a cold foot or leg; skin that is pale, purple or bright red; nail and hair changes; foot pain at night in bed that eases when the leg hangs down.

Danger signs: a wound on the foot that does not heal or is growing, blackening of the toes, bad smell, discharge, fever and worsening pain. These can point to a vascular and infection emergency.

Dry and wet gangrene: in dry gangrene the tissue is dry, hard and black and is usually related to insufficient blood flow. In wet gangrene there is infection; the tissue swells, discharges fluid and smells. Wet gangrene can progress rapidly and be life-threatening.

Treatment is based on removing the cause. If there is an artery blockage, blood flow must be restored; in interventional radiology the artery can be opened with a balloon and stent. Infection is treated with antibiotics and dead tissue with surgical cleaning. In some cases amputation may be unavoidable, but early presentation may reduce the risk of limb loss.

If you have a wound that will not heal, blackening or pain at rest, do not wait; see a specialist. A foot problem that progresses rapidly with fever is an emergency. This article is general information.