With almost 2 million people in the US living with limb loss, it’s evident that this remains a major health concern. Vascular disease – caused by diabetes and peripheral arterial diseases- is responsible for over half of these cases; trauma related causes follow closely behind at 45%, while cancer accounts less than 2%. A staggering 185,000 amputations occur each year accompanied by $8.3 billion worth of hospital costs. The chilling numbers rise even higher when factoring race: African Americans are up to four times more likely to have an amputation compared to white Americans – not only further complicating the dismal statistic but also putting their mortality five years after any such procedure significantly above other deadly illnesses like breast or colon cancer! For those struggling with diabetes, the risk of having both legs amputated is shockingly high – up to 55% will require a second leg amputation within two or three years.
References:
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