Posts Tagged ‘complications of diabetes’
Diabetes & Amputation
Between 10 and 15% of diabetics develop the condition in his lower limbs known as “diabetic foot”. For the U.S. 10 or 15% of the approximately 16 million patients with diabetes, corresponding to 1.5 – 2 million people. Altogether one of every $ 7 of health expenditure is spent on treating complications of diabetes. It is remarkable that the lesions on the feet are the most costly complications of diabetes.
One of 4 patients with diabetes during their lifetime will have foot injuries and will undergo major or minor amputations. The 5-year mortality in major amputations is 50% and the risk of limb loss of the other 33% . Postoperative mortality is 12% .
According Apelqvist, 50% of patients who survive a unilateral amputation in 4 years undergo a contralateral amputation.
Amputation of lower limb non-traumatic causes is 15 times higher in diabetics than nondiabetics and 60% of amputees are diabetic. In diabetics 67,000 amputations are performed annually in the U.S.
What is the possibility of rehabilitation for amputation?
80% of amputees below the knee can be rehabilitated, but in high amputation this is unlikely. Because fewer than 65% of patients obtained successful rehabilitation. 25% need more than 300 days to walk again.
The figures quoted give an indication of the importance of trying to save the limb by all available means, including high tech.