25 Ways to Prevent Limb Loss: #25. Educate Yourself about Limb Loss
Educating yourself about about limb loss, including risk factors, can help you take preventative steps to saving your limbs. While there are many unpreventable causes of limb loss, such as a car accident, or workplace injury, most of the amputations that occur in the United States every year could have been prevented. Most of these amputations involve complications related to diabetes or...
25 Ways to Prevent Limb Loss: #24. Educate yourself about Diabetes
Having diabetes places you at an increased risk of losing a limb. People with diabetes are up to 7 times more likely to lose a limb than someone who does not have diabetes. As many as 70% of the amputation procedures performed in the United States involved a patient with diabetes.
Educating yourself about diabetes, including risk factors and symptoms, can help you prevent the onset of...
25 Ways to Prevent Limb Loss: #23. Educate Yourself about Peripheral Arterial Disease
Peripheral arterial disease is one of the leading causes of limb loss in the United States. Educating yourself about peripheral arterial disease can help you better understand your risk for developing this disease, and, if you already have P.A.D., what you can do to manage it.
More information about peripheral arterial disease including risk factors, symptoms, and treatments options, is...
25 Ways to Prevent Limb Loss: #22. Receive Regular Podiatric Care
Having diabetes or peripheral arterial disease places you at an increased risk of losing a limb. If these diseases are not properly managed, you may develop complications that could lead to the loss of a limb. Research suggests that limb loss due to diabetes or peripheral arterial disease can be prevented by regularly seeing a podiatrist. Even if you have already developed some complications...
25 Ways to Prevent Limb Loss: #21. Participate in a Comprehensive Foot Care Program
If you have diabetes or peripheral arterial disease, participating in a comprehensive foot care program is an important measure you can take to prevent the loss of a limb. Unfortunately, many people with these health conditions never receive the necessary foot care to help them manage their disease and prevent the onset of complications that can lead to limb loss.
Research suggests that...
What is the Amputee Coalition, and What Can We Do for You?
Formed in 1986, the Amputee Coalition is today the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of people affected by limb loss or limb difference. Our mission is to reach out to and empower people affected by limb loss to achieve their full potential through education, support and advocacy, and to promote limb loss prevention.
Web Site
amputee-coalition.org
The Amputee...
Saving Your Other Leg
You are a person living with an amputated leg. Chances are good that your other leg is still intact and that you have no desire to lose it. The first step toward saving it is to realize that no one should care more about it than you do.
If your amputation was related to poor circulation and/or diabetes, the other leg remains at high risk for loss. Despite the gloomy statistics, there are...
Do’s and Don’ts for People With Diabetes
Do
Wash feet daily
Using mild soap and lukewarm water, wash your feet daily. Dry carefully with a soft towel, especially between the toes, and dust your feet with talcum powder. If the skin is dry, use a good moisturizing cream daily, but avoid getting it between the toes.
Inspect feet and toes daily
Check your feet every day for cuts, bruises, sores or other changes that may be less...
25 Ways to Prevent Limb Loss: #20. Always Wear Shoes and Socks
If you have diabetes or peripheral arterial disease, it is important to always protect your feet. Even small wounds on the foot, or problems with your skin could lead to the amputation of a limb. Always wearing appropriate footwear, including proper fitting shoes and clean socks, can help prevent limb loss for people with diabetes or peripheral arterial...
25 Ways to Prevent Limb Loss: #19. Have Your Ankle Brachial Index Measured Regularly
The Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) is a simple test that can determine whether or not you have peripheral arterial disease. This test compares the blood pressure in your ankle to the blood pressure in your arm. An Ankle Brachial Index measure less than 0.9 is considered abnormal and may be a sign that you have peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.).
If you already have peripheral arterial...
