Monday, October 22, 2012

Diabetic Foot Ulcer Statistics

At any given moment, between 4 and 10% of diabetics have a diabetic foot ulcer. Over a lifetime of diabetes, more than a quarter of diabetic patients will have a diabetic foot ulcer. In high risk groups, more than half of the patients will get an ulcer once a year.
In 3-5% of cases, the ulcer will become serious enough that an amputation will need to be performed to save the limb or the patient's life. Approximately 80,000 amputations are performed every year because of diabetic foot ulcers. The number of amputations is staggering, but so are the costs as well:
  • The cost to heal a simple diabetic foot ulcer is between $5,000-$6,000, assuming there is prompt treatment on the patient's part.
  • Cost for patients with infected ulcers or peripheral arterial disease is nearly $21,000.
  • Minor amputations, like a big toe, cost $23,000, while major amputations like below the knee cost $53,000. 
  • Annual cost of diabetic foot ulcers in the United States is $12.5 billion.
With prompt, proper, and aggressive care, diabetic foot ulcers can be treated and heal. But delaying calling your podiatrist will increase your chances of infection, gangrene, and amputation. No one wants to live a life with fewer limbs. Follow your doctor's instructions about your diabetic care and you will have all your limbs all your life!
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Bristol office to make an appointment.
Richard E. Ehle, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Care in CT
Podiatrist in Bristol, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Enhanced by Zemanta

3 comments:

  1. True! Nobody wants to live life with limbs but not everyone can afford expensive treatments.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What type of product you have choose for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The wound and sore ulcer is affected usually because of people carelessness but if the saw your blog means they have taken extra care of them health. Thank you for posting blog keep more posting blog because it very useful to people.

    ReplyDelete