Urgent warning to thousands with diabetes over limb amputations post-Covid

DIABETICS have been issued an urgent warning, as experts fear they are at risk of limb amputations.

Doctors are now seeing more wounds in people with diabetes, who may have missed vital health checks in the pandemic.

Either patients weren’t able to get the right help during lockdowns, or they didn’t go to doctors as they tried to stay away from the NHS.

But experts have said it is “enormously worrying”, as diabetics who are behind on their appointments risk losing their sight or limbs.

The checks are vital to make sure feet of clear of wounds, any wounds are properly treated and blood sugar levels are balanced.

The number of patients who went to these consultations between January to September 2021 dropped by 44 per cent, a national audit revealed.

That data also showed people getting checks on blood sugar also fell sharply.

Only 46.8 per cent had a foot check, compared to 83.9 per cent in 2019-20.

And 70 per cent had blood pressure check ups, compared to 95.4 per cent before the pandemic, National Diabetes Audit data showed.

Chris Askew, the chief executive at Diabetes UK, “These figures are enormously worrying. 

“Diabetes is serious, and these recommended health checks are vital as they reduce the risk of serious diabetes complications, such as sight loss, heart disease, kidney disease, foot problems and poor pregnancy outcomes.”

Dr Prashanth Vas, a diabetologist at King’s College Hospital in London, said: “King’s College Hospital has certainly seen an increase in more extensive wounds and procedures to save the leg.

“I have a couple of patients who now have long-term wounds that have become problematic due to the extended period where they could not be treated during the first lockdown.” 

Diabetes can reduce the blood supply to your feet, if blood sugar levels aren’t under control.

It can mean any injuries won’t heal well, and you may not notice any sore spots until they have developed into problems.

So it’s especially important to make sure you if you have diabetes,

Foot specialist Mike O’Neill advises: “Ensure that your blood pressure and cholesterol levels are also monitored and controlled with medication if needed.”

The NHS recommends making sure you attend you check ups, keep the feet clean, wear shoes that fit well, never walk barefoot, stop smoking and avoid sitting with crossed legs.

You should see your doctor urgently if:

• you notice breaks in the skin, or discharge from the wound
• the skin over part or all of the foot changes colour and becomes more red, blue, pale or dark
• you notice extra swelling in your feet where there was a blister or injury
• there is redness or swelling around an ulcer or in an area where you have previously been warned to seek immediate attention

Diabetes is a life-long health condition which affects around 4.7 million people in the UK.

It is a condition caused by high levels of glucose – or sugar – in the blood.

Glucose levels are so high because the body is unable to properly use it.

In people diagnosed with diabetes, their pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin, or not enough insulin.