Preventing Amputation

You are in charge of your body...
Don't let diabetes or vascular disease take a limb away from you.

More than 65% of amputations performed on patients 50+ years of age are due to diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. 85% of all amputations caused by complications of diabetes or peripheral vascular disease are preventable.

If you have been told by your physician that you have an increased risk of amputation due to diabetes or vascular disease..

A vast majority of patients can significantly reduce the likelihood of losing a limb by following these 10 simple rules:

1. Establish a relationship with a physician who specializes in diabetic foot problems.
2. See your doctor regularly and follow his/her instructions.
3. Examine your feet daily and report problems such as ingrown toenails, red spots, cuts or other
4. wounds to your physician at once! Never walk without wearing shoes.
5. Wash your feet daily.
6. Maintain your ideal weight.
7. Wear thick, soft socks.
8. Give up smoking.
9. Cut toenails straight across.
10. Be properly measured and fit every time you buy new shoes.

If there is time, you should contact the Amputee and Prosthetic Center. Our trained personnel will see if they can arrange for you to be visited or called by a Peer Visitor (an amputee with similarities to your condition) or by a Patient Support to assist you with learning what to expect.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. I HAVE DIABETES AND A VERY SMALL SORE HAS APPEARED ON MY FOOT. DO I REALLY NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR? ISN'T THAT OVERKILL?

A. If you don't know who to call, call the Amputee and Prosthetic Center. When you call to make your appointment, be sure to say that it is urgent and that you have a wound and other complicating factors (diabetes, circulation problems, previous amputation etc.). Appropriate and early treatment of wounds and sores increases the likelihood of healing these wounds. Waiting even one day can be disastrous.

Q. I HAVE BEEN TOLD I MAY NEED AN AMPUTATION, AND I AM REALLY AFRAID.

A. This is a typical reaction to such life altering news. Just knowing the answers to a few basic questions should help alleviate much of the fear you have.

Q. CAN I SPEAK TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO HAS HAD THE SAME TYPE OF AMPUTATION?

A. Yes, the Amputee and Prosthetic Center can arrange for you to be visited or called by an amputee who is of the same gender and age group with a similar type of limb loss and activity level.

>Q. WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY FIRST PROSTHESIS?

A. After surgery, after your wound has healed, and after you have prepared your residual limb with exercises and wrapping, you can begin the process of obtaining a prosthesis.

Q. WHEN WILL I WALK AGAIN?

A. Due to the many variances of all sorts of patients, not everyone progresses at the same pace. There are so many variables it is impossible to determine when you will receive your prosthesis without a thorough evaluation from your prosthetic team.

Q. HOW CAN I EDUCATE MYSELF ON ADAPTING TO LIMB LOSS?

A. No one should have to suffer through the loss of a limb uninformed. There is a wealth of information available to amputees and their caregivers at the Amputee and Prosthetic Center, whether you need information on bicycle riding, phantom limb pain, or perhaps a book written for the parents of a child suffering the loss of a limb. The Amputee and Prosthetic Center offers an extensive catalog with selections from over 90 books, booklets and video tapes that address almost any topic of interest for an amputee.

Q. WHAT ABOUT YOUR PROSTHESIS?

1. Will I be able to have a prosthesis?
2. When will I receive my first prosthesis?
3. What will it cost me to obtain a prosthesis?
4. Who decides what type I will receive
5. Do I have any input?

A. Since there are so many variables to consider, it is impossible to give one answer for all patients. Your prosthetist will be able to answer these questions for you soon after (and sometimes before) your amputation. In conjunction with your healthcare team, the prosthetist will educate you and assist in the selection of options for the best prosthesis for your individual needs.

Q. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER AMPUTATION?

Life without a limb may be different, but it doesn't have to be worse. Of course living with the loss of a limb is different , but the effect it will have on your life depends mostly on how you deal with it. You will have many questions such as:

1. Will I be in a lot of pain?
2. How long will the pain last?
3. Will I have to depend on others for the rest of my life?
4. Will I be able to participate in my favorite activities?
5. What will I not be able to do that I used to do?
6. Will I be able to keep my job, care for my family, and play sports?
7. How will my family, friends and the general public react?
8. How will I feel about myself?

A. If there is time, you should contact the Amputee and Prosthetic Center. Our trained personnel will see if they can arrange for you to be visited or called by a Peer Visitor (an amputee with similarities to your condition) or by a Patient Support to assist you with learning what to expect.

Active Amputees

The Amputee and Prosthetic Center is available
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM during the week to answer any questions you may have
about limb loss or amputee lifestyles.

CALL US IF:

• You would like to schedule a visit from a peer advocate;
• You would like to schedule an appointment to talk to a prosthetist;
• You would like to see a physician that specializes in limb loss;
• You would like information about any aspect of limb loss.

FAX: (713) 669-8330
TEL: (713) 747-7647

Email: info@myamputee.com
Website: www.myamputee.com