Can my type 1 diabetes lead to leg amputation?

Question

Hello, Doctor,

I have had type 1 diabetes since I was 19, and honestly, I think I've managed it pretty well over the years. My last HbA1c came back at 7.2, which my doctor said was decent for my age. But my uncle, who also had T1D, ended up losing two toes in his 60s, and it terrifies me. Please tell me,

Are amputations common even in well-controlled T1D patients at 50?
Is that more of a thing that happens when someone hasn't been taking care of themselves?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

For a patient with diabetes, either Type 1 or Type 2, it is critical that he keep his blood sugar under control. Also, he must take excellent care of his feet. Use moisturising creams to keep skin soft; do daily foot self-examination to check for any areas of redness or wounds, and, if so, immediately consult a diabetic foot surgeon. Extremely important to use proper footwear at all times. They should be soft, pressure-distributing insoles, slippers, sandals, or shoes. With proper foot care and footwear, you can minimise foot injuries. Also, if you seek medical consultation as soon as you detect any foot problem, you can greatly prevent situations where toe amputation is required.

The rainy season brings increased moisture, making your feet more vulnerable to infections, especially if you have diabetes.

Protect your feet by avoiding these common mistakes:

Walking barefoot.
Ignoring wet feet.
Skipping daily foot checks.
Wearing tight footwear.
Ignoring minor cuts or wounds.

A few minutes of foot care each day can help prevent serious complications tomorrow. Also, doctors can do an Ankle Brachial Index to check for vascularity. They can do a vibration perception test for peripheral neuropathy.

I hope this information helps you.

Feel free to ask further questions.

Thank you.