Diabetes and Foot Amputation: How to Prevent It?

Diabetes comes with severe complications, including foot amputation. But with the right care, you can avoid many of these complications. If you’re living with diabetes, it’s essential to understand the relationship between diabetes and amputation and how to prevent serious outcomes like amputation.

How Diabetes Can Hurt Your Feet and Legs?

This condition increases blood sugar levels over time, causing poor circulation and nerve damage (neuropathy). This nerve damage further damages the blood vessels you have in your feet and legs. Also, with less blood flow, your feet may heal slower, which makes it easier for infections or ulcers to form.

Why Do Diabetics Lose Feet?

Diabetes and amputation of feet and limbs happen due to several reasons:

• As mentioned above, slower blood flow slows healing. It also causes severe infections and ulcers to develop.
• Diabetic nerve damage causes your feet to go numb. This numbness makes it difficult to feel small injuries or sores. Without early detection, these minor issues can quickly worsen.
• High levels of blood sugar weaken your immune system and makes it harder for your body to fight off infections. Unfortunately, even small cuts or blisters can become serious problems.
• Diabetic foot ulcer and amputation go hand in hand. Untreated foot ulcers and open sores on the feet can become infected if left untreated. These infections can lead to tissue death, which may require surgery.
• Unchecked infections can cause gangrene, which kills your tissues due to a lack of blood flow. Gangrene can lead to amputation to prevent the spread of infection.

Diabetes and Amputation Prevention

The process of prevention of diabetes and amputation starts with daily foot care and regular check-ups. Here are the best methods of diabetic foot care in Arizona to protect your feet:

Daily Foot Inspections

Check your feet thoroughly daily. Look for any cuts, blisters, swelling, redness, or changes in skin color. Also, pay special attention to areas between your toes and the soles of your feet. Early detection is key to preventing infections and complications.

Keep Your Feet Clean and Dry

Use warm water and mild soap to wash your feet daily. Next, dry your feet completely, especially between the toes, to prevent moisture buildup and fungal infections. Apply a moisturizer to keep your skin moist. However, avoid putting lotion between your toes because it can lead to unnecessary moisture and potential infections.

Wear Proper Footwear

Avoid tight, ill-fitting shoes or socks, as they can cause blisters, pressure sores, or other injuries. Go and choose shoes with a wide toe box that offers good arch support and cushioning. Shoes made from breathable materials are best, and always check the inside of your shoes for objects or rough areas before putting them on.

Control Blood Sugar Levels

Keeping your blood sugar at range reduces the risk of nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation. Also, contact our foot healthcare providers to develop a plan for managing your blood sugar through diet, exercise, and, if necessary, medication.

Regular Podiatrist Visits

Our podiatrists can spot potential problems before they become serious and can recommend treatments to prevent any complications. Our routine foot exams help you detect issues like ulcers, corns, calluses, and other warning signs to prevent diabetes and amputation.

Quit Smoking

If you smoke, expect a reduction in your blood circulation, especially in your feet. Poor circulation means wounds heal slower, and the risk of infections increases. Quitting will significantly improve your overall health by improving blood flow to your feet and reducing your risk of ulcers and infections.

Manage Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

High blood pressure and cholesterol levels cause damage to your blood vessels, and circulation problems in your legs and feet. Keeping them down through diet, exercise, and medication to reduce your risk of developing complications. So, monitor and manage these factors.

How Do You Know If Your Foot Needs to Be Amputated?

If you’re experiencing any of these signs, come to us and seek foot care immediately:

• Severe infection that heals with treatments
• Ulcers that won’t heal or open sores that worsen
• Loss of sensation in your feet
• If your skin turns blue, black or becomes cold.
• Signs of gangrene, such as a foul smell, dead tissue, or darkened skin

Additional signs that might result in diabetes and amputation include:

• Persistent swelling in the foot or ankle
• Drainage from a wound, especially if it appears thick, yellow, or has a bad odor.
• Red streaks or warmth radiating from an ulcer or wound
• Sudden sharp or aching pain in your foot
• Foot deformities or changes in shape

What Percentage of Type 2 Diabetics Have Amputations?

Approximately 0.25% to 0.5% of people with Type 2 diabetes undergo amputation yearly. While it seems small, it represents thousands of cases across the US. The most common types of diabetes and amputations are toe, foot, and below-the-knee types. The risk of amputation increases the longer you have diabetes, especially if you have complications like neuropathy or peripheral artery disease (PAD).

How Long Do Diabetics Live After Amputations?

Life expectancy varies based on factors like age, overall health, and the type of amputation. For example:

Minor Amputation (Toe or Part of the Foot)

For both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics, the survival rate is relatively high. About 77-83% of diabetic patients survive the first year after their amputation surgery. Many patients live for several more years with proper care and management of their diabetes.

Major Amputation (Below the Knee)

The survival rate decreases after a below-the-knee amputation. For Type 2 diabetics, about 40-60% survive after 2-5 years. The survival rate is slightly better for Type 1 diabetics who manage their blood sugar well, but the risk remains.

Major Amputation (Above the Knee)

For Type 2 diabetics, only about 50% survive beyond two years. Those with Type 1 diabetes tend to have slightly better outcomes, but the overall survival rate still drops significantly.

Recovering From a Diabetes-Related Amputation

Recovery from diabetes and amputations can be challenging, but it is possible with the right approach. Here’s what you can do:

• Clean your surgical site daily. Do it with mild soap and water, gently pat it dry, and change dressings as directed by your doctor.
• Start physical therapy a few days after your surgery. Early exercises include leg lifts and stretches to rebuild strength and balance. Over time, include leg lifts, stretches, and balance training.
• Once healed, you can use a custom prosthetic limb to improve your mobility and regain your independence. Work with a prosthetist for a proper fit and function.
• The emotional impact of amputation can be significant. Seek counseling or join a support group to cope with the emotional impact of amputation.
• Regular visits to our podiatrists can help you catch any issues early. In addition, routine blood sugar checks can prevent further amputations or complications.

Alternatives to Foot Amputation

In some cases, you can avoid amputation. Alternatives include:

• Wound Debridement: It removes dead or infected tissue to prevent further damage. You can use it when your wounds don’t heal on their own or show signs of infection.
• Revascularization Surgery: It restores your blood flow and improves healing. It is ideal for patients with poor circulation or peripheral artery disease (PAD).
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: It increases your oxygen supply and speeds up wound healing. Use it for stubborn or deep infections that don’t heal with standard treatments.
• Antibiotics: They treat infections and stop them from spreading. They are best for infections that are detected early or are at risk of worsening.
• Orthotics: Use custom footwear or inserts to reduce pressure and prevent ulcers. Diabetic patients with foot deformities or those prone to ulcers can use them best.

Prevention of Diabetes and Toe Amputation in Arizona

At Foot and Ankle Specialty Centers, we specialize in preventing and treating diabetic foot complications. Our podiatrist team helps you manage your diabetes and avoid amputations. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Schedule your appointment today to keep your feet healthy. Call us at (480) 812-3668 or visit our website to learn more.

Diabetes and Foot Amputation: Let’s Recap

Diabetes and amputation are serious problems, but you can often prevent them. How? By taking steps to manage your diabetes, practicing daily foot care, and seeking early treatment. In addition, regular visits to our podiatrists can make all the difference in preventing amputation.

FAQs

What is the life expectancy of a diabetic with an amputated leg?

Most diabetics live 1-5 years post-amputation, depending on their health and management of diabetes.

How long do diabetics live after toe amputations?

With proper care, many diabetics live long lives after toe amputations, with survival rates of 77-83% after one year.

Why would amputation be necessary?

Amputation is often necessary when severe infection or tissue death threatens the rest of the body.

Why do amputations occur with diabetes?

Amputations occur due to complications like nerve damage, poor circulation, infections, and gangrene, all worsened by high blood sugar.