Preventing Diabtetic Amputations
Patients hate even considering the possibility. For doctors it is an ugly necessity. Amputations are a last resort and necessary treatment in wound care.
The good news is that the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons reports that as many as 85 percent of cases amputation can be prevented. The key to avoiding diabetic amputation is education and early detection.
Steps to Prevent Diabetic Amputation
Why do so many unnecessary amputations occur? Diabetics may not be aware of the dangers of seemingly minor problems and injuries. While diabetics may feel as if they do not even has the disease at times due to the quality of modern medical care, recognizing that a potential problem may occur is part of the prevention process.
Diabetics need to wear proper shoes. Covering their feet and not walking around barefoot is another easy form of preventing a minor cut or scape. Diabetics should perform regular checks of their feet, legs and arms for injuries. Poor circulation is a symptom of diabetes. If an injury is not properly healing then do not wait to see a doctor. A doctor would rather deal with a wound before it becomes infected.
Failure of Treatment?
Even if an amputation does occur it does not mean that treatments did not work. A minor amputation might occur to stop the spread of an infection or to help a patient return to regular physical activity in a faster and more reliable way.
Amputation remains an important tool in wound care treatment, but with proper detection and prevention this tool may be preferably used more selectively and infrequently.
