Diabetic foot crisis leads to more than 5,000 amputations in one year

Diabetes is a silent killer. Once a patient has a wound on a limb that is difficult to heal, especially if the arterial blood supply of the lower limb is poor, he or she will usually face amputation. Doctors said that every year, more than 5,000 diabetic patients undergo amputation surgery due to diabetic foot. Once amputation occurs, physical function and quality of life will be seriously reduced, and it will also cause a huge burden on the whole family, and the survival rate will also drop to less than 50%. Poor control of diabetic foot can easily lead to amputation. According to statistics, up to 40% of diabetic foot patients are likely to relapse. (Photography/Huang Zhiwen)

Rong Zhixiong, an attending physician at the Department of Orthopedics at Miaoli Daqian Hospital, said that diabetes ranks fifth among the top 10 causes of death in the country and is also the most representative metabolic disease. It is caused by genetic factors and lifestyle. Methods, over-intake of nutrients and the trend of high-fat and high-calorie foods. Currently, there are about 1.2 million people with diabetes, but less than half of them are treated and well controlled.

Yong Zhixiong said that in his daily outpatient work, most of the diabetic patients who come to see a doctor come because of existing wounds. A small number of them suffer from paralysis and weakness, and some suffer from unbearable pain. Bloody pain", especially in winter. Clinical findings indicate that peripheral vascular disease in patients with diabetes tends to be bilateral and multi-segmental. This small vessel disease can cause tissue ischemia and/or necrosis.

Foot or toe ulcers are often caused by trauma, tissue ischemia or foreign bodies***. In addition, the loss of sensation caused by peripheral neuropathy will prevent the patient from detecting the injury early. , thereby worsening the wound. In addition, abnormal load-bearing on the metatarsal head can lead to the formation of calluses or plantar ulcers. This ulcer often spreads along a long and narrow tunnel to the tarsal metatarsal joint, and usually requires amputation to heal.

According to statistics, up to 40% of diabetic foot patients have the possibility of recurrence. The main reason is that peripheral vascular disease worsens, neuropathy leads to unconscious trauma and infection, and inappropriate wearing of footwear. Shoe habits and other factors.

The causes of diabetes are diverse, so the treatment of diabetic foot is often comprehensive and complex. Prevention is better than cure. This is the most important concept in caring for diabetic feet. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and socks and trim toenails regularly. If you have onychomycosis, you should seek medical treatment. Check your fins every day and keep them clean. Check the soles of your feet every day. No injury; if there is a small wound, it should be treated by a doctor as soon as possible to avoid delaying the condition, leading to complications or disability, which will lead to lifelong regrets.