Risk Factors

The diagnosis of diabetes does not necessarily portend future complications. Type 1 diabetes accounts for approximately 5% of all cases and is not preventable. However, Type 2 diabetes (95%) is associated with decreased physical activity, obesity, advancing age and family history.2 Exercise, diet modification, weight loss, glucose monitoring and medication are all mitigating factors.5 For at risk patients there are six identifiable steps leading to the loss of a limb: diabetes, neuropathy (loss of sensation), ulceration, vascular disease, infection and amputation.

A Need for Treatment

A person with diabetes and one lower extremity amputation has a 50% chance of developing a limb-threatening condition on the contra-lateral limb within two years, and the five year mortality rate after diabetes-related lower extremity amputation is nearly 50%. This mortality rate is higher than many types of cancers.6 Lower extremity amputation results in disability and loss of independence making it often more costly than limb salvage.7, 8