The number of diabetes-related major lower limb amputations is increasing in England, according to new figures.
Some 7,545 amputations took place between April 2015 and March 2018, an 8.4% increase on the previous period of three years, Public Heath England reported.
The rate is increasing with the increased prevalence of diabetes, the organisation says.
Its latest analysis of amputations also shows that white men face the greatest risk of amputation caused by diabetes.
The figures show that during the period more than 83,000 people needed hospital admission for foot disease.
Dr Jenifer Smith, from Public Health England, said: "It’s a tragedy that so many people are unnecessarily having to face the life-changing consequences of diabetes, such as amputations. Survival rates and quality of life for people following such major surgery can often be poor.
"This shouldn’t be happening when the condition is preventable."
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