When the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are combined with the effects of Peripheral Artery Disease , it explains why so many diabetes patients require amputation, they simply cannot feel the open sores on their legs and feet until are at a high risk of amputation and are nearing a point of no return. However, with proper treatment, education and follow-up care, there is no reason why many of these high-risk patients cannot be healed.
Every single year over , amputations occur in the United States. Additionally, almost half of the individuals who have an amputation due to vascular disease will pass away within five years of the amputation. This is statistic is even higher than the five-year mortality rates for breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.
Patients with diabetes also risk having their second leg amputated. For many people, having both legs amputated will negatively impact their way of life. The chairman of the International Diabetes Federation, Dr. In addition, a recent study found that attempting to restore healthy blow flow may be a better treatment than amputation for patients suffering from critical lower limb circulation problems.
Limb amputation is associated with numerous poor outcomes like loss of independence, shortened lifespan and depression. The issue is that many patients are told that amputation is their only option. This is why it is so crucial that patients always seek a second opinion before committing to amputation. Many patients are never informed that there is an alternative to amputation and that amputation is not the only solution to their problems. Eventually, the condition becomes such that the only effective treatment is to amputate below the knee.
The problem is the condition is often undetected at its early stages. So, effective treatment can sometimes arrive too late. People most at risk of ulcers that lead to limb loss are those with Type 2 diabetes or adult onset of Type 2.
In this study, scientists examined 14 patients with diabetes who had had an amputation below the knee. Skin tissue from their two legs were compared — the leg with the amputation below the knee and the healthy leg. They found that the leg with the amputation below the knee had problems with the connective tissue that supports the skin — the skin had changed.
Vascular Health Risk Management. Clinical practice. Neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers. N Engl J Med. Diabetes Care, , 25 10 : p. Clin Infect Dis, , 54 12 : e Living with the loss of a limb is more common than you might think. There are nearly 2 million people Learn more. My diagnosis was a wake-up call. It was time to take care of my health. Learn more about its symptoms, causes, and treatment. I learned that the best type 2 diabetes diet is the one that works for you.
Members of the T2D Healthline community understand well how managing diabetes can feel overwhelming. These 6 tips can help make it easier. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Type 2 Diabetes. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Is it needed? Is it common? Tips for prevention Other foot problems Takeaway Diabetes and amputation Amputation is a major complication of diabetes. Why would amputation be necessary?
Does everyone with diabetes deal with amputation?
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