How frequently does diabetes lead to toe/foot amputation in the usual course?
The reported incidence of foot and toe amputations is variable worldwide. Reporting structures, health care infrastructure, the experience of surgical teams and definitions of what constitutes a minor versus a major amputation all influence the results. In North America more than 60% of lower extremity amputations are associated with diabetes. Of this patient group, 85% will have had a complicated foot ulcer that resulted in an amputation. Approximately 15% of diabetics will develop a foot ulcer during the course of their disease; 7-20% of these ulcers will lead to a lower extremity amputation. Amputation rates for all diabetics range from 5 – 8 per 1,000. In other words slightly less than 1% of all diabetics will require a lower extremity amputation. The rates for men are twice as high as for women with diabetes. On average the following rates of amputation have been noted for patients with diabetes: • Toe – 2.6 per 1000 • Below knee amputation – 1.6 per 1000 • Foot – 0.8 per 1000 • A
