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Prevention of Amputation in Patients With Diabetes

As diabetes progresses to its advanced stages, it can produce dramatic changes in foot health. Potential problems associated with these changes include significantly diminished blood flow and nerve damage (neuropathy). If left unmanaged, these two factors can combine to cause irreparable harm to foot tissue, and may ultimately lead to a need to amputate the affected appendage. This extreme development can be prevented with careful monitoring.

  1. Understanding Diabetes-related Amputation

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, if you are suffering from advancing diabetes, you will need to pay close daily attention to the health of your feet. As your symptoms of neuropathy deepen, you will be increasingly unable to feel any interior or exterior foot damage such as bruises, breaks, ulcers, calluses or blisters. At the same time, the decrease in blood flow to your feet will cause lengthening healing times for any injury that might occur. In combination, these changes leave your feet in daily danger of uncontrolled deterioration, leading to potential development of infection, tissue death (gangrene) and the need for amputation of your toes, foot or leg.

    Diabetes Control

    • In order to help prevent these catastrophic outcomes, you will need to effectively manage your diabetes on a number of different levels. First, you will need to control the primary symptom of your disease, excessive blood sugar. This will require adherence to a proper diabetes diet, as well as consistent monitoring of your blood sugar and appropriate use of insulin. In addition, you will need to keep physically active and maintain a regular schedule of visits with your doctor. If you smoke, quit. Smoking further decreases your blood flow and may significantly increase your amputation chances as your disease progresses.

    Developing a Foot Care Routine

    • You will also need to develop and stick to a strict routine of daily foot care. Begin by washing your feet daily in lukewarm water, and drying them thoroughly both on their main surfaces and between your toes. To aid drying of your toes, use cornstarch or talcum powder. Additionally, keep your feet soft and crack-resistant by using lotion or moisturizer on their tops and bottoms. Ask your doctor about the best products for these purposes.

      Along with daily cleaning, establish a daily routine for examining your feet for physical changes. Begin by visually inspecting the surfaces of your feet for any abnormalities. If needed, assist your examination with a mirror to check areas that are hard to see. Since you may not be able to feel your toes or feet, reinforce your visual scan by feeling for changes with your fingertips. You can also use your fingertips or a tissue to gauge any changes in your amount of internal foot sensation. You will also need to trim your toenails regularly to reduce chances of injury.

      To further decrease injury possibilities, make a habit of wearing socks and shoes whether you are inside or outside. Make sure your shoes fit properly, and keep your socks clean and dry. Avoid nylon socks, or socks with restrictive ribbing.

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