In the United Kingdom around 100 amputations a week are performed as a result of diabetes.
People suffering from diabetes are reported to be 15 times more at risk of an amputation than people without diabetes.
50% of all amputations occur in people who have diabetes.
The majority of these amputations are preceded by foot ulcers. Only two-thirds of ulcers will eventually heal and the remainder may result in some form of amputation. Both ulcers and amputations have an enormous impact on people’s lives, often leading to reduced independence, social isolation and psychological stress. The diabetic foot is also a significant economic problem, particularly if amputation results in prolonged hospitalization, rehabilitation, and an increased need for home care and social services. (The International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF)
