Amputation

Unfortunately, the following situation happens too often.

A person with diabetes and diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) walks around in bare feet—a big mistake for anyone. Unknowingly, the person receives a cut on one foot or both feet. Because of the neuropathy, the person is not aware of being cut. (The cut is painless because the nerves are damaged.) Each foot becomes infected and ultimately each foot or each lower section of one or both legs must be amputated.

Discuss with your physician how to inspect and care for your feet and how often you should do this. You should also discuss what actions should be taken if you discover any type of problem(s) or abnormal condition(s) with your feet.

Over 60% of nontraumatic lower limb amputations occur among people with diabetes, of which 82,000 were performed in 2002 for people with diabetes in the United States.