What is an amputation? When performing an amputation, a surgeon removes a limb, or part of a limb, that is no longer functioning as it should and is causing great pain, or threatens your health because of extensive infection. Most commonly, a surgeon must perform this procedure on your toe, foot, leg, or arm. Physicians as well as patients consider amputation a last resort. Although amputations may be required for other reasons, such as severe injury or the presence of a tumor, the most common reason you may need an amputation is if you have peripheral arterial disease due to atherosclerosis

An aneurysm is a widening or localized enlargement of an artery. This widening can become a significant health problem if the aneurysm expands enough to burst or rupture, similar to a balloon that has been blown up too far. When an aneurysm ruptures, life-threatening bleeding can occur. Aneurysms most commonly occur in the abdominal aorta, a large blood vessel in the abdomen. Abdominal aortic aneurysms typically affect men over 65 years of age and is a leading cause of death in the United States. Even with surgery, there is a 50-80% chance of death with a ruptured aneurysm. Therefore, early

A heart attack occurs when part of the heart muscle is damaged or dies because of a lack of blood flow and oxygen to the area. Atherosclerosis, the leading cause of heart attacks, occurs when plaque builds up along the artery walls. Over time, the plaque hardens and may block the arteries. If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, call 911. Common Heart Attack Symptoms Chest discomfort and lightheadedness, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath Chest tightness or chest pain Pain or discomfort that spreads to the jaw, neck, shoulders, arms or back Less Common Heart Attack Symptoms Anxiety

Neuro-rehabilitation is the concept of a multidisciplinary program to aid in patient recovery after the development of a neurologic condition, such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, etc. The comprehensive program is supervised by a rehab doctor and may involve multiple rehab specialists individualized to the need of each patient. The goal is to improve your daily functions, reduce the burden of symptoms and improve your quality of life after a neurologic change. We also provide follow-up and treatment for chronic complications due to a

In March, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law a plan to transform health care in underserved communities, offering support to improve access and collaborations with the goal of greater equity. The State will invest $150 million using federal matching funds to fill health care gaps and focus on underlying health conditions in areas high on the CDC's social vulnerability index scale. These communities have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and are in areas served by critical access and safety-net hospitals, including rural parts of the state. The foundation for this

SIU School of Medicine will be closing its COVID-19 testing operation on March 30 as planned with the Sangamon County Department of Public Health (SCDPH). During the past 8 months, SIU conducted more than 38,000 tests of area residents, resulting in 35,093 negative findings and 2,359 positives, with a monthly average of 200 tests for children under 18. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the County to provide this critical community service in a time of crisis. SIU Medicine also wants to acknowledge Abundant Faith Christian Center and all other area congregations and community

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a chronic disorder affecting the nervous and immune system. When someone has MS, their immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues within their central nervous system. Specifically, MS causes inflammation and damage to tissues called the myelin sheaths, which surrounds nerve fibers and acts as insulation to help signals and information move about the brain and spinal cord. MS can impact multiple parts of the central nervous system, so signs and symptoms vary widely. Common symptoms include: Blurry vision Numbness and tingling Weakness Muscle spasms and

SIU Medicine will continue COVID-19 testing for the Springfield community in March. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, the testing operation will be hosted by Abundant Faith Christian Center located at 2525 Taylor Ave. Mondays: 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. Tuesdays: 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. Thursdays: 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. Additional testing is conducted on Fridays, hosted by other area congregations. March 5, 9 a.m. - noon at Second Timothy Baptist Church, 1122 E. Pine Street March 12, 9 a.m. - noon at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut Street March 19, 9 a.m. - noon at