More than 154,000 amputations occur every year in the U.S. That’s one every four minutes.

Shockingly, the majority of them could be prevented if there were greater awareness of risk factors such as diabetes, and use of preventive tactics such as early intervention, and more timely treatment of non-healing wounds and neuropathy, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

As the ADA works to make those changes possible through a new initiative called the Amputation Prevention Alliance, the estimated 2 million people in this country with chronic, limb-threatening ischemia now may have a minimally invasive, limb-saving alternative to amputation.

A study of a new way to restore blood flow to the foot and leg using transcatheter arterialization of the deep vein system was recently published in NEJM.

Researchers from Vanderbilt University treated 105 patients facing amputation who had non-healing wounds on their feet. They found that six months after the procedure, 76% of participants were able to keep their legs, and had completely healed or healing wounds, while 86% had freedom from all-cause mortality.

That's great news. But let’s get back to the fact that most amputations are preventable.

What it takes is early, aggressive treatment or reversal of Type 2 diabetes, prevention of diabetic complications such as neuropathy, heart, and circulatory issues, and careful monitoring by your doctor.

See your doctor every six months, or more frequently if recommended.

And to take charge of your diabetes, "The Great Age Reboot" offers a life-long plan that will help you live younger longer.