Syed Mujahid Humail, Pervaiz Anjum, Shaikh Naeemul Haq, Itaat Hussain Zaidi, Quraishi M A.
Disastrous effect of diabetic foot & how this can be prevented.
J Pak Orthop Assoc Jan ;21(2):31-5.

Objective: To find out the causes of lower limb amputations, and how it can be prevented. Hypothesis was: Is diabetic foot a leading cause? Study Design: Prospective study conducted at Orthopaedic Unit 1, CHK DMC, from 1st June 2007 to 1st June 2008. Subjects & Methods: All those patients who required amputation at different levels of lower limbs, in the duration of one year (June’07 – June’08) were included. The mode of admission was inpatients referred from medical/surgery wards, out patients department & emergency. Demographic data, detail history and clinical examination along with required investigations were done, with particular reference to glycaemic control. The decision of performing amputation was taken on clinical judgement by at least two surgeons of the surgical team. Informed consent was obtained. Results: During the study period from 2007 -2008, 73 patients had lower limb amputations at different levels. Major cause was diabetic foot, 46 (63.0%) followed by trauma 17 (23.28%) & tumours 10 (13.69%). The age of patients varied from 12yrs to 78yrs. Male to female ratio was 3.6:1. Conclusion: The disastrous effect of diabetic foot, amputations in diabetics can be prevented by: 1. Development of multi disciplinary foot care clinics. 2. Patient’s awareness programme.

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