Any diabetic amputees?

[999sugarbabe]

I am beginning to realise that I may (possibly) end up an amputee in the future, and was wondering if there are any members who have had to deal with this themselves :?: (not the amputation!!!)

Living alone now, it would make my life VERY difficult.
Since being diagnosed (type 2) the possibility of amputation has been on my mind. I have one leg which has been quite damaged several times, and now the diabetes has increased the chances significantly.
I am currently awaiting the results of a CT scan on the leg, having been x-rayed earlier. The metalwork in my leg (installed 10 years ago following an RTA) has broken into several pieces, and an operation is likely.
The orthopaedic specialist doesn't know (yet) that I'm diabetic (diagnosed since seeing him) and it's really worrying me.

 

[Stuboy]

Sorry to hear that.

My grandad was type 1 and never looked after his diabetes, he was an amputee... both legs from just above the knees.

If you keep your blood sugars under good control then hopefully you should lower your risk of amputation. That's my biggest fear i think.

 

[999sugarbabe]

Thanks, Stuboy, and Sarah Q,
I know it's silly, but I can't help thinking it's a possibility, and one I don't think I could cope with.
My levels have never gone above 8.4mmol/L since I've been checking them (1/10/08) which I don't think is a bad reading is it? So many sufferers on this website seem to have levels that go into double figures with their diabetes.
I've already told the orthopaeic registrar at hospital I don't wan't surgery unless it's absolutely necessary. I didn't know I was diabetic when I saw him.
It just feels the odds are stacking up against me.
I feel such a fool for even posting my worry now.

 

[hanadr]

Dear 999sugarbabe
It's possible that you might get hit by a bus, which is why you look both ways before crossing the road. Keeping BG down to the 4s and 5s is the equivalent of that looking.
Worrying about something like that,and not doing the best you can to avoid it is a route to mental bad health.
Make a plan, work on those numbers, keep busy, take some social exercise, eg group walking and don't dwell on what isn't the most likely prospect.

 

[martinbuchan]

Hi

depends on why the metalwork has broken. If the underlying fracture has not healed (united) then more surgery is likely to follow to remove the old frcacture, stabilisation with further metal implants and bone grafting. If the bone is healed (the probable reason for the CT scan) then removing any symptomatic loose metal pieces is not a major undertaking for you.

If a major procedure is planned, think about enquiring after hyperbaric oxygen therapy. You might meet a lot of resistance from some orthopods who may not know much about it.

Good luck

ps - i have had my left second toe ray amputated. I still have bone infection in my foot and am perservering with a long course of antibiotics. If it fails to control the infection I am facing a medial ray amputation/ below knee amputation. Know how you feel..........

 

[goji]

Martin

What caused your bone infection in the first place? Is it a common thing to acquire?

G

 

[martinbuchan]

Hi

I ignored a small non-healing ulcer on the sloe of my foot after a blister formed (before diagnosis). This allowed an infection to into my deep webspace. I presented in diabetic ketoacidosis due to the infection and lost the second ray. The wound took 5 months to heal, then I stopped my antibiotics. Nearly a year later my foot swelled up again and MRI showed infection in several bones in my foot. Antibtiocs for 6 months settled things down. Stopped antibiotics at easter this year. But flared up again with more destruction of my midfoot. My foot is acting like a charcot foot but it is a mixtture of bone infection and painless neuropathy. Foot seems to have turned the corner and is behaving itself. However, I am not coming of the antibiotics for a long long time yet (I will insist on a clear MRI scna first before I stop). I may still takje up the offer of a 6 week course of hyperbaric oxygen threapy, but it means taking another 6 weeks of work (can't aford to go to half pay again for the moment).

One is never certain if osteomyellitis is ver cured. At the moment I have intact skin and no pain. I do as little walking as I can to avboid a breakdown, but do manage sone stuff in the gym.

The risk of a BKA is pretty high for me - but not for a long time I hope.

 

[999sugarbabe]

Marty,
Sorry to hear of your plight, but pleased you are currently on the mend.

It's the risk of infection, which I fear most if I have another operation. MRSA C diff etc. My local hospital is renowned for being grubby at best. Last time I was an in-patient there was a ball of fluff under the opposite bed the size of a tumbleweed! It never moved during my stay and I never saw a cleaner once!

 

[martinbuchan]

HI

MRSA and C diff are always risk factors- there is no evidence to show percieved cleanliness of the ward floor has anything to do with it. The important factors are your own (partly controllable), the surgeon (experience, skill, and appropriate surgery) and your leg. A surgeon from the hopsital in Great Yarmouth wrote a cracking letter to the Independent saying that they had top marks for cleanliness but one of the worst records in the UK for MRSA.

If you go on long term antibiotics, you can help prevent C diff by taking Brewers Yeast tablets (H & B) and probiotic capsules (cheaper than the drinks, £8 for 90 days worth from , (Removed) I just ordered some more yesterday).

Any bug will be a problem in a bone or around metalwork. In my own foot I had staph aureus (not MRSA), streptococcus, Anaerobes, Enterococci and e. coli. No wonder I felt so bad. So I probaly can never had a fusion of the unstable/deformed midfoot joints (needs screws etc).

regards

 

[999sugarbabe]

I saw my orthopaedic surgeon on 21st... some birthday present that was
He's told me that the (10 year old) fracture in my leg hasn't healed (nice), and the plate and screws have broken (it gets worse), there are signs of "abnormalities" in the bone and fracture site which were apparent on the CT Scan (due to being diabetic perhaps, I wonder?).
He has offered me surgery to remove the broken metalwork where possible (probably not all of it), graft some bone (he didn't say from where, but I'm guessing it'll be my pelvis), introduce some special (and very expensive) protein mixture, replace some metalwork with stronger metalwork, and remove a couple of obsolete screws.
He said there is no guarrantee it will work, a risk of infection, and a chance of amputation.
Naturally, I think, I requested some time to think about this and to get Christmas over with before deciding what to do. :shock: :roll: :?

 

[howsitgoing]

So sorry to hear of your concerns! check your BG on a regular basis and take action if required.
Exercise if possible, I find swimming is fantastic, if not buy a dog, where you will have to walk for his sake. If you use control and discipline with your Diabetes, it is rare that you will have problems.

Cheer up!

Type one Devil! :twisted:

 

[VBee]

What is the likelihood, in percentage figures? Now and again I get a poorly foot, but it is only when I wear flat shoes in the summer, and I have learnt that I have to wear heels or it starts to really hurt. I have been told that this is plantar fasciitis (sp?) but could it be connnected?
Oh eck ere I go with the worrying now.... :roll: :lol:

 

[999sugarbabe]

I don't think heels would suit me, having tried cross-dressing at a Tarts & Vicars fancy dress party once when I was younger :!: :shock:
I can't take on another dog as I'm not able to care for it properly, and still haven't got over losing my old Jack Russell 5 years ago. (Best mate I ever had).
But keep the suggestions coming folks :!: :lol:

 

[Geocacher]

My father was diabetic and had an amputation following a crush injury to his ankle.

He faced a lengthy recovery period, bone grafts, metal plates, a fused ankle and, having been diabetic and without good BG control for some 15 years at that point and already experiencing circulation problems, no guarantee that any of it would work at all.

He chose amputation, and after a relatively short period of healing and getting used to using a prosthesis, he got on with his life. Would he have rather had his own foot, I'm sure of it, but after the amputation he had a better quality than he would have had if he'd gone through all the trouble to try to keep it. It was a very personal decision and I think he chose well, all things considered.

There were some things he couldn't do as well with only one real foot, but he found ways to do all the things he loved and had an active life. If were in his position, I believe I would have made the same choice.