Amputations in diabetics and nondiabetics in Umeå county 1971-1977

A consecutive series of 95 unselected patients submitted to amputation of the lower leg (59%) or at the thigh (41%) during 1971-1977 are the material of this retrospective study. Fifty-three were diabetic and 42 nondiabetic, the mean age was 77.2 and 73.1 years, respectively. There were no differences between diabetics and nondiabetics concerning age, lower leg/thigh amputations, postoperative healing, rehabilitation using prosthesis or subsequent amputation of the second leg.