“Breaking Barriers Bridging Gaps” is the theme for World Diabetes Day on November 14th and Lower Extremity Amputation (LEA) was given the spotlight on TTT’s NOW Morning Show as diabetics account for 90% of those undergoing the life-altering procedure.
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Dr. Richard Mann, explained that diabetic peripheral neuropathy often leads to lower extremity amputation.
“When there’s a problem with nerves going into the feet and the legs, it’s called peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is very common in diabetes. It’s the first complicating symptom generally in diabetes and it’s the most common complicating problem in diabetes, 50% of diabetics, if they live long enough, during the course of their disease will develop a peripheral neuropathy.”
Peripheral neuropathy presents with symptoms of burning, numbness, tingling, and shooting pain that affects both feet and legs in a bilateral or symmetrical fashion. This regularly leads to diabetics being unaware of damage to their feet and legs.
“If you’re a diabetic or you’re at risk because you have peripheral neuropathy, it’s very important for you: 1) to keep all of your medicines (blood pressure medicines, diabetic medicines), follow your doctor’s directions exquisitely, make sure you’re keeping all these problems under control. You want to make sure that you inspect your feet on a daily basis and if you can’t see your feet, get someone to look at them or look at them in a mirror. It’s very important if you have a wound or a problem that you address it immediately, as soon as possible.”
Dr. Mann recommends preventative care over-post amputation treatment.