Can a diabetic foot Be Saved?
About 50% of patients with diabetic foot infections who have foot amputations die within five years. Properly managed most can be cured, but many patients needlessly undergo amputations because of improper diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
A diabetic foot ulcer has a variety of causes, often including peripheral ischemia, neuropathy or both. Ulcer healing takes weeks or months, and one-third of ulcers never heal with amputation as the consequence [2].
The infection may not heal well because the damaged blood vessels can cause poor blood flow in your feet. Having an infection and poor blood flow can lead to gangrene. That means the muscle, skin, and other tissues start to die.
Diabetes affects the blood vessels that supply your fingers and toes. When blood flow is cut off, tissue can die. Treatment is usually oxygen therapy or surgery to remove the affected area.
Diabetic foot or leg amputation is a primary complication of diabetes. Across the globe, it's estimated that a limb is amputated every 30 seconds, and 85% of these amputations are due to a diabetic foot ulcer.
Diabetes also can lower the amount of blood flow in your feet. Not having enough blood flowing to your legs and feet can make it hard for a sore or an infection to heal. Sometimes, a bad infection never heals.
There is currently no way to reverse diabetic neuropathy, although scientists are working on future treatments. For now, the best approach is to manage blood sugar levels through medication and lifestyle changes. Keeping glucose within target levels can reduce the risk of developing neuropathy and its complications.
Role of Diabetes in Amputation
While many diabetic foot ulcers will heal with proper treatment, about 10-15% will not. Almost a quarter of those whose ulcers do not heal will ultimately require amputation. Amputation can often be avoided by seeking care as soon as possible after noticing a developing ulcer.
The nerve damage from diabetes is not entirely reversible. However, patients do have treatment options to help manage symptoms. Patients who have neuropathy should focus on regulating blood sugar. These people should also check feet daily for signs of new blisters, sores, or signs of infection.
In diabetic condition, aerobic exercise such as walking is commonly recommended to improve glucose control and reduce microvascular and macrovascular complications7,8.
Why do diabetics lose their feet?
Most lower leg and foot removals begin with foot ulcers. An ulcer that won't heal causes severe damage to tissues and bone. It may require surgical removal (amputation) of a toe, a foot or part of a leg. Some people with diabetes are at higher risk than others.
An amputation may be needed if: you have a severe infection in your limb. your limb has been affected by gangrene (often as a result of peripheral arterial disease) there's serious trauma to your limb, such as a crush or blast wound.
Tissue damage or death (gangrene) may occur, and any existing infection may spread to your bone. If the infection cannot be stopped or the damage cannot be reversed, amputation may be necessary. The most common amputations in people with diabetes are of the lower extremities (legs, feet, and toes).
Avoid soaking your feet, as this can lead to dry skin. Dry your feet gently, especially between the toes. Moisturize your feet and ankles with lotion or petroleum jelly. Do not put oils or creams between your toes — the extra moisture can lead to infection.
But yes, it may be possible to put your type 2 diabetes into remission. This is when your blood sugar levels are below the diabetes range and you don't need to take diabetes medication anymore. This could be life-changing.
Among patients with diabetes, there is a 25% likelihood that they will develop a foot ulcer. Nearly half of them will become infected, and about 20% of those with moderate to severe infection will require some degree of amputation.
Previous reports have shown that patients with diabetes-related amputations have a high risk of mortality, with a 5-year survival rate of 40–48% regardless of the etiology of the amputation [5–7].
- Increase swelling of legs or feet.
- Change of skin color.
- Burning or tingling sensation.
- Lack of feeling in the feet.
- Numbness in the toes.
- Ingrown toenails.
- Slow to heal sores.
- Cracks between toes.
Health Benefits of Diabetic Socks
People living with diabetes can use socks to protect their feet against pressure and help prevent ulceration. Diabetic socks cushion feet and help avoid the friction that can cause blisters and ulcers.
If you're diabetic, we recommend you wear socks and shoes at all times. If you're sporting bare feet, it's much more likely you'll step on a pebble, stick, or even a piece of glass that cuts through your skin. You won't feel especially hot pavement and could experience a serious burn.
When should a diabetic foot be amputated?
The worst scenario for a diabetic foot ulcer is that it progresses past the point of treatment and requires a lower extremity amputation. This can happen due to infection of the wound, or simply because time has passed and the ulcer wasn't identified early on, due to complex factors like neuropathy or vascular disease.
9. Of diabetic foot ulcers that do not heal, 25% will require amputation. 10. In one study, research showed that following an amputation, up to 50% of people with diabetes will die within 2 years.
Ways of lowering the risk of needing an amputation include managing blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medicine, avoiding smoking, and taking care of the feet. People with diabetes should seek prompt treatment for any issues that affect their feet.
You may also find that it helps to talk with a person who has had an amputation. Remember that even though you've lost a foot, it doesn't change who you are or prevent you from enjoying life. You'll have to adapt and learn new ways to do things. But you can still work and take part in sports and activities.
"Once it's taken out, we have some reasonable expectation about what's going to be done with it." In fact, there is no federal law against keeping your own limb, although some states and hospitals restrict ownership, transport, or sale.