Preventable amputations
August 31, 2012
EIGHTY-five percent of diabetes-related
amputations are entirely
preventable, according to Professor
Paul Wraight, head of the Diabetic
Foot Unit at The Royal Melbourne
Hospital.
Addressing delegates at a national
diabetes conference this week,
Professor Wraight said as many as
3,600 amputations per annum
could be avoided each year if more
was done at a national level to
prevent risk factors, monitor those
at risk and respond to diabetes
nerve and circulation damage that
affects the legs and feet.
“Monitoring individuals at
increased risk is crucial so early
ulcer detection and treatment can
occur – translating to reduced
amputations,” he said.
According to Wraight, Australia
has one of the highest rates of
lower limb amputations in the
developed world with around 85
diabetes sufferers having a foot or
part of their leg removed each
week.
“Feet are often the forgotten
complication of diabetes,” he said.
“Unlike kidney disease and
cardiovascular disease, there aren’t
national networks and protocols
established to oversee individuals
with diabetes related foot
complications,” he added.
Meanwhile, Wraight said that a
hospital and community-based care
program focused on diabetic foot
health, involving GPs, specialists,
nurses and allied health
professionals, may hold the key to
reducing lower limb amputation
among people with diabetes.
Along this line, a foot program
rolled out at Royal Melbourne
Hospital has seen the number of
individuals with diabetes having
their feet examined rise from 35%
to 100%, said Wraight.
“Amputation rates dropped
immediately following the
introduction of the program, with
amputation rates down 60% by the
end of the first year.
“We are working to roll-out this
model of care to other hospitals
around the country, but increased
funding is desperately needed.
“It’s a simple proposition – ignore
the feet and diabetes will continue
to be the leading cause of lower
limb amputation,” he added.
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