Progress Being Made In Worldwide Amputation Prevention , Singapore Conclave Suggests

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy;  Bones / Orthopedics
Article Date: 20 Mar 2007 - 5:00 PDT

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Singapore was the venue for a gathering of physicians, surgeons, industry personnel and policymakers from around South Asia for a series of workshops on amputation prevention. "This was a rather important meeting," noted Professor David G. Armstrong of Scholl's Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR) at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago who, along with Dr. Stephan Morbach, President of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes' Diabetic Foot Study Group, presented one of two keynote addresses to the gathering. "The data shown here seem to be suggesting that diabetic foot clinics are having an impact on amputation prevention in both the developed and developing world."

Teams from both Europe and India presented data using a simple test devised by members of CLEAR that divides the number of major (leg) amputations by the number of minor (toe) amputations. The results were encouraging, showing that centers that employ foot clinics perform far more limb-sparing procedures than high-level amputations.

Armstrong concluded: "It seems that these initiatives are having an impact - not only in preserving limbs, but potentially prolonging life in this very high-risk population, worldwide."

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Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science educates medical doctors, health professionals and biomedical scientists in a personalized atmosphere. The University is located at 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, and encompasses Chicago Medical School, College of Health Professions, Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, and School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Visit at http://www.rosalindfranklin.edu/ and http://www.lifeindiscovery.com/. For more information about CLEAR, visit http://www.diabetic-foot.net/.

Contact: Kathleen Peterson
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

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