Routine Podiatry Visit Turns Life Saving
Larry Lapow & Dr. Reed
For Henderson’s Larry Lapow, his bimonthly foot checkups [Podiatry] had become a routine annoyance on his time, but necessary to insure that his diabetes remained in check. “After one checkup, they called and told me to come into the office. I knew something was wrong,” the retired teacher commented.
Today, Lapow is grateful that he was tired of the long cross-town drive to his previous podiatrist and switched to the nearby office of Dr. Robert Reed. The [Podiatry] visit was significant.
A thorough examination revealed Lapow was in grave danger of losing both legs below the knees due to previously undiagnosed Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).
There was a serious lack of blood flow to his lower legs that threatened double amputation below the knees. The blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart has collapsed.
Fortunately for Lapow, a referral to a cardiologist experienced in micro surgery of the veins and arteries was able to restore the blood flow and save his patient’s legs. He credits Dr. Reed for a more comprehensive examination for saving his legs.
For the podiatrist, the type of exam he performed on Lapow is Standard Operating Procedure. “A vascular test in the office turned out abnormal and from there he was referred to a cardiologist,” the doctor commented.
The doctor, who has been practicing in Nevada since 1994, said a thorough exam can reveal thyroid disease, abnormal heartbeats, rheumatoid arthritis and even skin cancer. “Most all of the (cancer) lesions that are suspicious when biopsied are negative, but the ones that come back positive can be extremely dangerous,” the doctor cautioned
“Being caught early can make a big difference.” he added. He recommends that “patients who suffer from diabetes or Peripheral Arterial Disease should be seen as often as every two months.”
For Lapow, his podiatry visit was more than just having his nails clipped – it preserved his future quality of life.
