Table 7 Baseline data: history of lower extremity complications
Lower extremity complication | Procedure | Diagnosis/study definition |
|---|---|---|
Foot ulceration | • Past or current foot ulcers will be determined by self-report, observation and medical record review | A foot ulcer will be defined as a ‘full thickness skin break that is distal to the ankle joint, and may extend into or through the dermis and involve deeper structures such as bones, tendons, joint capsules and ligaments’ [41, 55, 73]. |
• The location, type and duration of a current foot ulcer will be recorded | ||
Lower extremity amputation | • Past lower extremity amputations will be determined by self-report, observation and medical record review | A lower extremity amputation will be defined as a ‘complete loss of any part of the lower extremity [74], including any digit, partial foot amputation or higher’. |
• Lower extremity amputations will be classified as minor (below ankle) or major (above ankle) | Lower extremity amputations resulting from trauma or the presence of a tumour will not be recorded. | |
A major amputation will be classified as a loss of limb above the ankle, or minor amputation if below the ankle [74, 75]. |