Diabetes and Amputation – Save Your Limbs!
Did you know diabetics are at risk for circulation issues and nerve damage? For some patients living with diabetes, these issues may require lower limb or foot amputation. Because April is Limb Loss Awareness Month, in today’s post Dr. Mark Thompson and Dr. Brandon Holloway of Amarillo Foot Specialists located in the Amarillo, TX, panhandle share information regarding the link between diabetes and amputation.
To put the seriousness of this issue in perspective, there are nearly two million individuals in the United States living with limb loss. For over half of those people, the reason for the limb loss was peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetes.
What is peripheral artery disease?
PAD is the buildup of plaque on the inside surface of the arteries that run to the legs. It is an exceptionally dangerous condition that causes the arteries to constrict, limiting the flow of blood to the toes, feet, and legs. When this occurs, the lower extremities don’t get enough nutrients and oxygen to help them remain healthy, and they begin to weaken. Wounds, diabetic sores that fail to heal, loss of mobility, and leg pain are all common symptoms of PAD.
In its advanced stage, PAD can lead to gangrene or tissue death. In turn, gangrene can lead to amputation, so immediate medical treatment is required.
Another sign of peripheral artery disease that can result in amputation is diabetic sores or ulcers in the lower extremities that won’t heal. Because there is inadequate blood flow to those extremities, chronic wounds on the feet and legs are unable to heal themselves. On the legs of people with PAD, this condition can quickly escalate to an extremely severe problem for which, unfortunately, the only course of action may be amputation.
With nearly 60% of amputations caused by complications of diabetes and PAD, it’s crucial to focus on the connection between the two so that patients can get the treatment before it’s too late.
A major concern for diabetics is peripheral neuropathy, which is basically a loss of feeling in the legs and feet. When this happens, they don’t notice mild foot or leg ulcers because they can’t feel the open diabetic sores until they’re at a higher risk of amputation.
With more effective foot care and patient strategies, there’s no reason many of these high-risk patients can’t be healed. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate! Contact the office of Dr. Mark Thompson and Dr. Brandon Holloway of Amarillo Foot Specialists located in Amarillo, TX, at (806) 322-3338 today to schedule a consultation.