Williams Clinic introduces new procedure

There is a lot of excitement at Williams Medical Clinic in Holly Springs as a team has been put in place to help diabetics save their extremities.

Dr. Stephen Leschak, radiologist, and John Scallions, Family Nurse Practioner- Board Certified, are bringing in their team that will be used to screen, educate, and treat arterial blockages in the legs and feet of diabetic patients.

The removal of blockages in the arteries of the feet restores blood flow to the foot and relieves lifestyle-limiting symptoms such as nighttime leg cramps, resting leg pain and severe leg and foot cramping. The severe leg cramping in the calves, thighs and buttocks while walking are relieved by the procedure. Progressive numbness and tingling and burning and foot wounds could ultimately lead to amputation.

Dr. Kenneth Williams said patients have already been served in the surgical room

set aside for the procedure at the clinic.

“I saw some tremendous work he was doing and he saw the need and is willing to come to get this program started,” Williams said.

John Scallions has worked with diabetic patients with circulation issues from the Mississippi Delta to Memphis, Tenn., and surrounding areas.

Scallions said he will give prospective patients a full consultation to assess if they are a candidate for the revascularization surgery. The procedure opens up clogged and narrowed arteries in the foot to restore circulation. With restoration of the three main arteries in the foot, the patient gets pain relief and also protection going forward against amputation.

He and Leschak’s team are dedicated to treating arterial disease using endovascular treatment at Alliance.

Leschak, who has over 20 years experience as an interventional radiologist, specializes in this minimally invasive technique using imaging guides. The procedure expands the artery walls to increase blood flow to the diabetic foot.

Leschak said diabetics just live with rest pain and cramping, thinking it may be arthritis causing their issue. They feel their symptoms are normal.

“We are meticulous in the assessment of our patients in order to rule out a significant arterial blockage that may lead to increased pain, wounds and amputation,” Leschak said.

“We would like to give our patients a new normal,” Scallions said.

“There is a higher mortality in patients who go on to get amputations,” the doctor said. “The patients endure lifestyle limiting symptoms or ulcerations.”

Leschak started his practice in Southaven with the primary aim to prevent amputations in the diabetic foot. The procedure can also be used in several other disease states, including treating fibrotic tumors in the uterus and also patients who need to restrict the growth of the prostate.

Smoking and diabetes are the two main causes of peripheral artery diseases (arterial disease of the extremities).

Leschak said smokers get disease-causing pain on exercise or exerting effort. Diabetics get rest pain and cramping in the feet and, more importantly, ulcerations on the toes and feet which can lead to amputation.

The entire team, including nursing staff, will come to Alliance to build the practice for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treatment and prevention.

Patients in multiple counties are being served. Dr. Williams is providing the facility and equipment and the team can be said to be mobile. Specialized nurses and technicians specialized in radiology are part of the team. The key is amputation prevention.

Scallions has been specifically working with PAD patients for the last three years in order to increase education for patients, their families and their communities. His goal is to promote awareness, prevention and positive outcomes.

“What makes us different is we are able to treat beyond the knee to the small arteries in the foot,” Scallions said.

“The key to improving their symptoms, improving wound healing and hopefully preventing amputation is getting better blood flow to the small arteries in the foot,” Leschak said.

Even advancing stiffness in the toes can be an indicator of decreased blood flow in the foot, he said.

“Most patients can immediately see a difference in the color of their foot after the procedure and usually report noticeable increase in warmth,” Leschak said. “It’s so exciting to be a member of the team bringing this amazing service to Holly Springs and surrounding areas.”

“It’s kind of like the final frontier where no man has gone before,” Scallions said. “Numbness and stiffness in the foot, it is all about poor blood flow. They get rapid relief. Lot of patients are putting up with their discomfort.”

Leschak has conducted over 2,000 procedures in the last three and a half years.

Scallions has worked within the cardiovascular and circulatory areas for 34 years. He began his FNP career in Clarksdale and is originally from Charleston.

“I’m a Mississippi boy and we’re making him (Leschak) a Mississippi boy,” Scallions said. “This community is very important to me bringing healthcare to the area. We want to deliver something that will enhance their lives as well as enhance this community.”

Leschak is from Philadelphia, Penn.