According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 50,000 diabetic patients will require a lower extremity amputation each year.  The most common cause for diabetic patients to be admitted to a hospital each year is related to a foot ulceration or infection of the foot.

"Unfortunately, more than 50% of all diabetic patients who lose a limb will require amputation of the other limb within five years.  Regular foot examinations by a trained professional can help prevent amputation.  If you are diabetic and unsure of your current risk status, make an appointment for a baseline check as soon as possible.  Remember, early diagnosis and treatment are the key factors when attempting to prevent limb loss."

Lehigh Foot and Ankle Surgeons (LVFAS) is one of about 100 centers nationwide to have state-of-the-art neuromotor and sensory testing (NMT) that can detect nerve damage much earlier than conventional electrophysiological studies.  This test enables the physician to determine nerve pathology from systemic processes, such as diabetes mellitus.