How to Lower Your Risk for Foot Amputation

The number of foot amputations performed each year in the United States is increasing, particularly among people with diabetes. About 160,000 people with diabetes have lower limb amputations every year.

While diabetes is a common cause of foot amputation, it’s not the only cause. Traumatic injuries, infections, and another chronic condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD) are other reasons for foot and lower limb amputation.

At Forward Foot & Ankle, our team helps patients take steps to protect their feet, reducing their risk of amputation while improving their overall wellness at the same time. Here, learn what you can do to lower your risk of foot amputation.

Manage underlying conditions

As noted, diabetes and PAD are major causes of foot amputations. Taking steps to manage these conditions can help reduce the risk of amputations and improve your health in other ways. 

For diabetes, that means controlling blood sugar, watching your diet, and performing regular foot inspections to look for wounds, blisters, and other issues that could lead to infections. For PAD, it means getting regular screenings, being active, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking to keep your blood vessels healthy.

In both cases, working with a care provider is essential for creating a management plan that works for your lifestyle and health needs.

Practice good foot hygiene

A daily foot wash is a good way to keep your feet healthy and to inspect for tiny wounds, like blisters or ingrown toenails, that may lead to infections. Be sure to dry your feet thoroughly after washing them, and massage some moisturizer into your skin to keep it supple when you trim your nails straight across to avoid ingrown nails.

Seek medical care right away

If you do notice a wound—even a tiny one—keep an eye on it. If it looks like it’s getting worse or infected, call the office right away so we can initiate treatment immediately.

Protect your feet from injury

Footwear plays an important role in preventing foot injuries. Just choose shoes that fit properly and don’t pinch or bind. Avoid going barefoot to reduce the risk of cuts and abrasions, and change socks if your feet become sweaty. 

Maintain good circulation

Diabetes and PAD both reduce circulation to your feet, making it harder for your feet to heal after injuries. You can improve blood flow by staying physically active daily and improving cardiovascular health through walking, swimming, or biking. Keep your feet up when resting to reduce pressure on your leg veins, and ask our team about prescription compression socks to improve circulation to your feet and ankles.

Make lifestyle changes

Your feet benefit from healthy lifestyle changes just like the rest of your body. Stick to a healthy diet, take steps to manage your weight, and quit smoking to improve circulation and support natural healing.

See your foot doctor regularly

Regular foot checkups with our team are essential for monitoring foot health and learning other steps you can take to prevent serious problems like infections. During your visit, we’ll examine your feet, review your health history, and provide you with the information you need to protect your feet and lower your risk of amputations in the future.

Foot health is essential for mobility, comfort, and overall wellness. To learn what else you can do to prevent infections and other problems, request an appointment online or over the phone with the Forward Foot & Ankle team in Midtown Manhattan and Staten Island, New York, today.