Preventing Diabetes-Related Amputations

A small cut on the foot can become a serious infection that could require amputation if left untreated.

Lower-limb amputations (LLA), which is surgery to remove a toe, foot, or leg, are increasing in the US, and 80% are a result of complications from diabetes. From 2009 to 2019, the number of diabetes-related hospitalizations due to amputation doubled.

But the good news is that most diabetes-related amputations can be prevented with lifestyle changes, blood sugar management, regular foot checks, and prompt wound care when needed.

How Diabetes Can Lead to an LLA

High blood sugar over time can cause diabetes complications that raise the chance of an LLA:

• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can narrow the blood vessels that carry blood to your legs and feet. Poor blood supply can make even a tiny cut heal slowly or not at all.
• Peripheral nerve damage can cause loss of sensation so you may not notice cuts, sores, or ulcers on your feet.

With these complications, even a small cut can become a serious infection. Depending on the condition, a doctor may recommend:

• Procedure to clean the wound and remove dead tissue.
• Surgery to restore blood flow to your leg or foot (called revascularization).
• Antibiotics to treat certain infections.
• Amputation to remove the affected area.

How to Prevent an LLA and When to See a Doctor

You can reduce your risk for an LLA by managing your blood sugar through healthy eating and being physically active. Regular doctor visits, foot screenings, wound care, and foot checks at home can also prevent or delay foot problems.

Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is available to help you manage your blood sugar, cope with challenges, and prevent diabetes complications like LLAs.

Check your feet every day, so you can recognize any foot problems before you’re at risk of an LLA. If you have any of the following symptoms, don’t wait until it becomes a serious infection. See your primary doctor or foot doctor right away if:

• You have pain or numbness in your limb.
• You have a fungal infection such as athlete’s foot between your toes.
• You notice a change in the color of your feet or swelling in your feet.
• The corner or side of your toenail grows into the soft flesh.
• A wound, sore, blister, or ulcer doesn’t seem to be healing.
• You have an ulcer bigger than 3/4 inch deep and you can see the bone underneath.

What to Do When You Get a Cut on Your Foot

Follow these steps to clean the wound:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water.
2. Apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean bandage or cloth to control bleeding.
3. Rinse the wound with bottled or clean running water. Wash around the wound with soap and clean water but don’t get soap in the wound.
4. Pat it dry with a clean towel. You may also want to apply an antibiotic ointment.
5. Cover the cleaned wound with a new bandage and check it every 24 hours.

Seek medical attention if:

• The wound came from an animal bite or a puncture by a dirty object.
• There is dirt, glass, metal, or any other material in the wound that you can’t remove on your own.
• Bleeding doesn’t stop after applying pressure for 20 to 30 minutes.
• There are signs of infection like pain, redness, swelling, or fever.

What If You Don’t Have a Doctor?

There are free or low-cost options available for preventing LLAs:

• Medicare covers a foot exam once a year and some treatments for foot injuries or diseases.
• Medicaid covers foot care in some states. Check with your state Medicaid agency to find out what foot care services are covered in your plan.
• Federally qualified community health centers provide low-cost primary care services in both urban and rural areas. Locate a community health center near you.