Diabetes can cause a variety of neurological and cardiovascular side effects which may increase the risk of limb amputation.

Why Does Diabetes Cause Limb Amputation?

Limb amputation is among the health risks of diabetes. People with diabetes may suffer from a condition known as peripheral neuropathy. Poor blood sugar control can lead to nerve problems, including pain, tingling, and numbness. This often affects the hands and feet.

If a patient with peripheral neuropathy injures their foot, they may be unable to feel the pain, and the injury could become infected and turn into a foot ulcer. Severe ulcers and infections can require amputation if not treated properly.

Another major factor in diabetic amputations is the development of peripheral artery disease. Diabetic patients are at a higher risk for this condition, which causes clogging of the arteries outside of the heart. As a side effect of peripheral artery disease, diabetic patients may experience decreased circulation to the extremities.

When circulation is decreased, the healing capabilities of the body are decreased. This means that foot ulcers and infections may take longer to heal or may not heal at all. Similar to peripheral neuropathy, this can increase the risk of amputation if wounds and infections are unable to heal.

Other risk factors for limb amputation may also be common with diabetic patients, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and a history of smoking.

What are the Chances of Developing a Diabetic Amputation?

Azura Vascular Care shares statistics about diabetic foot amputation, illustrating the importance of preventing them and the consequences of having to have a limb amputated. 

According to Azura, foot ulcers are the leading cause of diabetic amputations — more than 85 percent of major amputations are caused by foot ulcers. Additionally, 10 percent of people with diabetes reportedly have a foot ulcer.

Unfortunately, between 10 and 15 percent of diabetic foot ulcers do not heal, and of those that group, 25 percent will require a limb amputation. Though ulcers may start out small, it is important for diabetic patients to keep a careful eye on them, as they can quickly become more severe, and may even lead to an amputation.

Azura says that waiting to be seen by a doctor for a foot ulcer can increase a patient’s risk for amputation — reportedly, waiting longer than six weeks to be seen by a doctor for a foot ulcer increases the chances that the ulcer will become severe enough to require limb amputation.

Even more alarming is a study that found that up to 50 percent of diabetics will die within two years of needing an amputation, reports Azura.

However, Azura says that patients who have resources to treat their diabetic ulcers and take the necessary steps to look after their health have a better chance of not requiring an amputation. Reportedly, the risk of limb amputation can decrease by up to 75 percent if a patient has a team of diabetic specialists looking after their care, dealing with issues like infection, wound care, and vascular health.

Do Some Diabetes Medications Increase the Risk of Limb Amputation?

Diabetic patients, in general, are at risk for amputations. However, studies suggest that some medications may further increase the risk.

In November 2018, a study was published which showed that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors may be linked to an increased risk of diabetic limb amputations. This class of diabetes medications includes drugs such as Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Farxiga (dapagliflozin). These medications are used to treat type 2 diabetes by lowering the blood glucose levels in a patient.

The study compared the outcomes of SGLT2 inhibitor patients with the outcomes of patients taking glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) receptor agonists, another common diabetes medication. The researchers found that patients who took SGLT2 inhibitors such as Jardiance and Farxiga were more likely to need an amputation.

“SGLT2 inhibitors, as compared with GLP1 receptor agonists, were associated with an increased risk of lower limb amputations and diabetic ketoacidosis,” the study concluded.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued six separate Drug Safety Communications concerning risks related to SGLT2 inhibitor medications, from a warning about the risk of lower limb amputations to another about a flesh-eating infection of the genitals.

How Can Limb Amputations Be Avoided?

In order to deal with the increased risks of amputation, most medical professionals recommend that patients stick to a strict foot care regimen. This can help patients catch diabetic ulcers before they get infected as well as decreasing the chance of injury. Some foot care tips include:

• Daily foot checks to monitor for redness, wounds, bruising, blisters, and discoloration
• Regularly check feet for sensation
• Wear thin, dry, clean socks without elastic bands
• Wiggle toes and move ankles throughout the day to encourage blood flow.

Any signs of foot problems or neuropathy symptoms should be reported to a doctor as soon as possible.

Can I File a Lawsuit?

Many people who have suffered undergone a diabetic limb amputation and other side effects of SGLT inhibitors are turning to litigation. So far, hundreds of patients have filed lawsuits against Invokana (canagliflozin) alone, and other SGLT2 inhibitors have been named in lawsuits as well. A number of major pharmaceutical companies have been targeted with this litigation, including Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and AstraZeneca.

While some of the SGLT2 inhibitor lawsuits filed so far have made it a trial, others have ended with sizable settlements.

According to lawsuits, drug manufacturers either knew or should have known about the risks associated with their SGLT2 inhibitor drugs, but failed to adequately warn patients and the medical community about these risks.

If you or someone you love has suffered from side effects of Jardiance, Farxiga, or another SGLT2 inhibitor, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these complications, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Pursuing litigation can be a daunting prospect, especially while dealing with medical complications, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting a lawyer can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.