It is estimated that upwards of 60% of amputations are preventable (1).
The introduction of comprehensive foot care, including regular visits with a podiatrist, have been associated with reducing diabetes‐related amputations by up to 80% (2).
The three most important factors for reducing the rate of diabetes‐related amputation are: 1) patient education, 2) regular visits with doctor and/or podiatrist, 3) appropriate footwear (3-6)
Among people with a lower extremity amputation, smoking cigarettes has been associated with a re‐amputation risk 25 times that of nonsmokers (7)
References:
- Ortegon MM, Redekop WK, Niessen LW. Cost‐Effectiveness of Prevention and Treatment of the Diabetic Foot. Diabetes Care2004 April 1, 2004;27(4):901‐7.
- Driver VR, Madsen J, Goodman RA. Reducing amputation rates in patients with diabetes at a military medical center: the limb preservation service model. Diabetes Care2005;28(2):248‐53.
- Frykberg RG. Diabetic foot ulcers: pathogenesis and management. American Family Physician2002;66(9):1655‐62.
- Malone JM, Snyder M, Anderson G, Bernhard VM, Holloway GA, Bunt TJ. Prevention of amputation by diabetic education. American Journal of Surgery1989;158(6):520‐4.
- Edmonds M. Diabetic foot ulcers: practical treatment recommendations. Drugs2006;66(7):913‐29.
- Sanders LJ, Robbins JM, Edmonds ME. History of the team approach to amputation prevention: pioneers and milestones. Journal of Vascular Surgery2010;52(3 Suppl)):3S ‐ 16S‐3S ‐ S.
- Lind J, Kramhøft M, Bødtker S. The Influence of Smoking on Complications after Primary Amputations of the Lower Extremity. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research1991(267):211‐7.