Lower limb amputation in diabetic foot disease: experience in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria

The diabetic foot is characterised by the triad of neuropathy, infection, and ischaemia, which may ultimately lead to limb amputation. It is important to understand the factors that place diabetic patients at increased risk of amputation in our society, hence the need for this study. The medical records of all patients admitted and treated for diabetic foot complications over a 3-year period (January 2007 to December 2009) were retrieved. Relevant information was obtained from the case notes. Thirty-six (36) patients entered the study, 25 males and 11 females (M:F ratio 2.3: 1.0). Mean age was 54 years (range 24-74). Patients presented with foot gangrene (58%), ulceration (31%) and infection (11%) with trauma being the most common precipitating factor (53%). Nineteen patients (53%) had lower limb amputation, the commonest of which was below knee. Of the patients that had amputation, 18 (95%) had type 2 diabetics. Adequate diabetic foot disease preventive strategies need to be designed and implemented to reduce the incidence of lower limb amputations.