Do you have to amputate your legs if you have untreated peripheral arterial disease?

Depends: Pvd alone does not mandate a leg amputation. Only if people have severe advanced peripheral vascular disease manifesting itself with "wet" infected gangrene, rapidly progressing foot infection, a large non-healing wound, or a non-viable limb would be considered for an amputation. Medical treatment of PVD as well as surgical revascularization can help prevent progression to the above states.

Possibility: If tissue dies or severely infected, amputation can be life-saving. In completely uncontrolled pad, it is very, very common, especially if uncontrolled diabetes and tobacco use. To treat, stop smoking, control diabetes. May be given blood thinners or blood vessel dilators. Artery bypass may be also recommended. See a vascular surgeon for treatment options.

Usually no: Need to be imaged with cta to see extent of disease. With this info doctor will do stents or other devices to open vessel or bypass blocked section.