Someone in England loses their leg every two hours due to a non-healing wound according to a report released as part of a campaign to reduce the negative impact of leg and foot conditions, writes Josh Mellor…
The Legs Matter Coalition is encouraging people to check their and others’ legs for areas that are swollen, tender or for sores that won’t heal in order to prevent irreversible damage.
More than a million people in the UK are estimated to suffer from serious leg and foot conditions year and the resulting delays to correctly diagnose and treat them can cause unnecessary suffering, disability, amputation and even death.
Pamela, 51, from Stepney, Tower Hamlets, has sickle cell disease, which can make people prone to leg ulcers.
She said: “Leg ulcers don’t just happen to elderly people. They can happen to anyone. It’s the sort of pain where all you can do is cry because there’s nothing you can do about it.
“It breaks my heart that I missed out on doing things with my children when they were younger. My brother would take my kids roller skating in Regent’s Park and I could never join them. They’re older now but I’ll never get those years back.
To keep legs and feet in good kick make sure to check and keep the skin healthy, regularly move your feet and legs in any way that feels good and to visit a local health service if things aren’t looking right.
For more information visit legsmatter.org