Diabetes and Amputation

Diabetes is a disease that involves problems with the hormone insulin. Diabetes can occur when the pancreas produces little or no insulin, or when the boy does not respond appropriately to insulin. While many people can manage this disease through diet and medical interventions, diabetes can put people at a higher risk for many health-related problems, including foot or leg amputation.

Diabetes can be directly linked to a condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD narrows the arteries that carry blood to the legs and feet, making it more likely that sufferers will get ulcers and infections. Peripheral artery disease can also make healing occur at a slower rate, also leaving an open sore or wound more susceptible to infection. If you have diabetes, your doctor has probably advised you to look at your feet every day. This may sound strange, but it is an important habit to get into.

High blood sugar levels caused by diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels in the body. If the nerves are damaged in your legs or feet, you may not feel pain or other symptoms of ulcers or infections. Because of nerve damage, you will be at a much higher risk of infection or gangrene, which is the death of your tissue. If severe infection or gangrene sets in, the only way doctors can treat the affected area is to amputate it.

Transmetatarsal Amputation (TMA) is an operation performed as an alternative to higher limb amputation. TMA typically involves removing all or part of a person’s forefoot. While TMA is a relatively common operation, it is also complex. Surgeons must try to preserve the maximum amount of midfoot to ankle distal so that patients can be adequately supported and maintain functionality in their lower limb. As with all operations, vascular sufficiency is a critical factor in TMA. Vascular surgeons must ensure that healing can take place before amputation.

As a distinguished vascular and endovascular surgeon, Dr. Alan I. Benvenisty, MD, has a complete understanding of vascular pathology and extensive knowledge of how risk factors from diabetes will affect the outcomes of surgery. Dr. Benvenisty offers compassionate and conscientious care for all patients.

Contact Dr. Benvenisty’s New York City office today.