Diabetes-related lower limb amputations up by 18%

Diabetes-related lower limb amputations have increased by 18.3% after 27,465 operations were carried out in England between 2015 and 2018.

According to Diabetes UK, there has been a significant rise in minor lower limb amputations (22.4%), defined as below the ankle, and a more gradual increase in the number of major lower limb amputations (8.8%), defined as below the knee.

The organisation said this persisting rise in diabetes related amputations are partly due to the fact that one in six hospitals still do not have multidisciplinary specialist foot care teams (MDFT). These teams, which often include podiatrists, physicians and nurses, are integral to delivering a high quality of care and their absence may result in inconsistent access to treatment and outcomes across the nation.

Devastating

Evidence has shown the longer a person is delayed seeing an MDFT, the more likely it will be that foot ulcers become severe and slow to heal, increasing the risk of amputation.

Foot ulcers and amputations are also hugely costly for the NHS, with at least £1 in every £140 of NHS spending going towards foot care for people with diabetes. Foot problems can be devastating to a person’s quality of life and are often life-threatening.

Diabetes UK is urging NHS England to deliver on its commitment made in the NHS Long-Term Plan to ensure the investment promised for developing diabetes foot care, is targeted so that all hospitals can provide access to a MDFT.

Dan Howarth, Head of Care at Diabetes UK, said: “Ensuring that multidisciplinary specialist foot care teams are in every single hospital across the country will not only significantly improve outcomes for people with diabetes, it will also cut down on long-term costs to the NHS.

“The differences in the standard of treatment between areas is unacceptable. An amputation, regardless of whether it’s defined as minor or major, is devastating and life-changing. A ‘minor’ amputation can still involve losing a whole foot. Especially as many diabetes amputations are avoidable through better quality care – we have to do better.

“To stop this upward trend in amputations, we are urging NHS England to stay true to their commitments and ensure people with diabetes have access to the specialist care and support they need.”

It is also vital that all people living with diabetes know how to look after their feet, and check them regularly to look out for the signs of foot problems. It is crucial that people with diabetes know how important it is to seek medical attention if they spot any signs of foot problems. A matter of hours can make the difference between losing and keeping a foot

For more information on footcare for people with diabetes, click here.

Picture credit: Frank Vessia