30 Aug Diabetic Foot Amputation
Managing diabetes requires adherence to medications and treatments that help control blood sugar levels. Failing to do so increases the risk of developing health complications, one of which is diabetic foot. It’s reassuring that this condition can also be controlled, but sometimes amputation becomes necessary due to worsening conditions. Therefore, some wonder: When is diabetic foot amputation necessary? Dr. Amir Malkawi, a vascular surgery consultant, will provide us with the answer in this article.
When is diabetic foot amputation necessary?
Diabetic foot amputation becomes the only treatment option when foot ulcers cause significant tissue damage or life-threatening infections. The goal of amputation in such cases is to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible, thereby prolonging the patient’s life.
It’s worth noting that the damage to diabetic feet stems from persistent and recurrent high blood sugar levels, which can lead to the following:
Poor blood circulation in the limbs
Elevated blood sugar levels contribute to poor blood circulation to the limbs, especially the feet. This slows down the healing of foot wounds and ulcers, increasing the risk of infection and tissue decay in the affected area. If these infections are not treated promptly, they can spread within the foot, necessitating foot amputation.
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Damage to peripheral nerves
High blood sugar levels can damage peripheral nerves, resulting in reduced sensation in the limbs, including the feet. This increases the risk of foot injuries going unnoticed by the affected person, delaying the diagnosis until complications such as tissue decay or gangrene develop, potentially requiring foot amputation to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body.
Reasons to Visit the Doctor
Several signs may indicate a problem with the feet of a diabetic patient. It is crucial not to ignore these signs and to promptly consult a doctor to reduce the risk of needing diabetic foot amputation. These signs include:
- Appearance of foot ulcers.
- Ingrown toenails.
- Warts on the feet.
- Continuous bleeding from the foot.
- Swelling of the feet.
- Unexplained foot pain.
- Athlete’s foot or foot fungus.
- Redness of the foot.
- Change in foot color.
- Delayed healing of foot wounds or ulcers.
- Appearance of foot ulcers larger than 2 centimeters in diameter.
- Noticing warmth or heat in the foot upon touching.
- Foul odor coming from foot wounds.
- Deep wounds exposing bones of the foot.
Risk Factors for Diabetic Foot
There are several factors that increase the risk of developing diabetic foot conditions, including:
- Excessive elevation of blood sugar levels.
- High blood pressure and inadequate control of it.
- Smoking.
- Family history of diabetic foot amputation.
- Suffering from vision disorders that increase the risk of foot injury.
- Foot deformities.
- Suffering from foot ulcers and other foot diseases such as ingrown toenails.
- Slow wound healing.
- Fungal infection in the foot.
- Ingrown toenails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can diabetic foot amputation be avoided?
Yes, in many cases, diabetic foot amputation can be avoided by controlling diabetes and early detection of foot problems in diabetic patients. Treatment may involve only removing a small portion of the affected tissues. However, if the doctor determines that amputation of the foot is necessary, it should not be neglected to prevent the spread of the disease to other parts of the body.
What does the diabetic foot that requires amputation look like?
Dr. Amir Malkawi indicates that there is no specific appearance for a foot that requires amputation. Therefore, if any unusual signs appear on the foot, it is important to consult a doctor at the earliest opportunity to prevent the condition from progressing to amputation.
References:
[1] – https://www.verywellhealth.com/diabetic-feet-5216003
[2] – https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/amputations.html
[3] – https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/diabetes-amputation
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