Why do I need to protect my other leg so carefully?

Because if diabetes or poor circulation caused your amputation, the remaining leg often has the same disease and is at high risk, including of a second amputation. Diabetes UK says most foot problems and amputations can be prevented by daily care and early action; even a blister can lead to amputation in diabetes.

How do I check and care for my remaining foot?

Check the whole foot daily (top, sole, between toes, heel) for cuts, blisters, colour change, swelling or hard skin, using a mirror or asking someone. Reduced sensation means injuries may not hurt, so look, do not rely on pain. Wash and dry daily, moisturise (not between toes), and cut nails carefully.

What should I avoid to protect my foot?

Never walk barefoot indoors or outdoors, do not use over-the-counter corn or verruca removers or blades or attempt “bathroom surgery”, and avoid ill-fitting shoes. Wear well-fitting supportive shoes, check inside them before wearing, and break new shoes in gradually. Stopping smoking greatly helps circulation.

What sudden signs are an emergency?

Call 995 for a foot or leg that suddenly becomes cold, pale, blue or mottled, numb or very painful (a possible loss of circulation, a limb-threatening emergency), a swollen painful calf or sudden breathlessness or chest pain (a possible blood clot), or spreading infection with fever.

When should I see the podiatrist rather than call 995?

See your team or podiatrist promptly (without waiting for a routine appointment) for any new cut, blister, ulcer or non-healing wound, a colour change, new hard skin, ingrown nail, swelling or foul smell, or residual limb redness or a prosthesis that suddenly rubs. Call 995 for the sudden emergencies above.

Protecting Your Other Limb After Amputation

Written & reviewed by the BestDoctors.sg editorial team · Last updated 28 Aug 2026 · General information, not medical advice

If your amputation was caused by diabetes or poor circulation, protecting your remaining leg and foot is one of the most important things you can do, because the surviving limb often has the same underlying disease and is at high risk, including of a second amputation. The good news is that most problems can be prevented with daily care and quick action. This is the most safety-critical guide in the series, so it is worth reading closely.

Recovering from injury, pain or surgery and want to move better?

Message our care team on WhatsApp. Tell us what’s going on and we’ll help you find the right physiotherapist — free, with no obligation.

Chat with our care team on WhatsApp

Not sure who to see? Find the right specialist →

In a medical emergency, or for severe or sudden symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting or stroke signs, call 995 immediately.

This is general information and does not replace your team’s advice. Check your remaining foot every day and never walk barefoot. Seek prompt care for any new cut, blister, ulcer or non-healing wound. Call 995 for a suddenly cold, pale, blue or very painful leg or foot (a circulation emergency), a swollen painful calf, sudden breathlessness or chest pain (a possible blood clot), or spreading infection with fever.

Protecting the remaining leg is a priority

People who lose one leg to diabetes or peripheral arterial disease are at high risk of problems in the other leg, because the same circulation and nerve disease affects it too. Diabetes UK is clear that most foot problems and amputations can be prevented by daily foot care, regular checks, and getting problems seen early, noting that even something as small as a blister can lead to an amputation in someone with diabetes. So protecting your remaining foot is a lifelong priority, not an occasional task.

Daily foot checks

Check your whole remaining foot every day, the top, the sole, between the toes and the heel, looking for cuts, blisters, colour changes, swelling or hard skin. Use a mirror to see the sole, or ask someone to look for you if you cannot. This daily look matters especially because reduced sensation from nerve damage means an injury may not hurt, so you cannot rely on pain to warn you. Catching a small problem early is what prevents it becoming serious.

Foot care and footwear

Wash and dry your feet daily, especially between the toes, and moisturise dry skin but not between the toes. Cut or file nails carefully, and do not use over-the-counter corn or verruca removers or blades, or attempt “bathroom surgery”, as these can damage the skin and cause ulcers. Wear well-fitting, supportive shoes, check inside them for stones or rough seams before putting them on, break new shoes in gradually, and, importantly, never walk barefoot, indoors or outdoors.

Controlling the risk factors

Protecting your circulation more broadly protects your remaining limb. Keep your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol well controlled, eat well, and stay active as advised. Above all, if you smoke, stopping is one of the most powerful things you can do, because smoking severely worsens circulation and raises the risk of further tissue loss. Have your feet checked professionally, at least at your regular diabetes foot check and more often if you are higher risk, and see a podiatrist promptly for any concern rather than waiting. Small, regular checks by a professional catch problems that are easy to miss at home.

The residual limb and blood clots

Two other risks are worth knowing. First, keep inspecting your residual limb daily, as covered in our residual limb guide, and get prompt help for signs of infection there. Second, reduced mobility after an amputation raises the risk of blood clots, so keep moving and follow any clot-prevention measures your team advises. A swollen, painful calf can be a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and sudden breathlessness or chest pain can be a clot on the lung (pulmonary embolism), which is an emergency.

Red flags: when to see the team, and when to call 995

See your team or podiatrist promptly, without waiting for a routine appointment, for any new cut, blister, ulcer or non-healing wound on the remaining foot, a colour change, new hard skin, an ingrown nail, swelling or a foul smell, or residual limb redness, swelling or a prosthesis that suddenly rubs. Call 995 or go to A&E for a foot or leg that suddenly becomes cold, pale, blue or mottled, numb or very painful (a possible acute loss of circulation, which is a limb-threatening emergency), a swollen painful calf, sudden breathlessness or chest pain, or spreading infection with a fever. The daily habits in this guide take only a few minutes of your time each day, and they are among the most important things you can do to stay well, protect your remaining leg, and keep your independence over the years ahead, and this is exactly why they are so well worth building firmly and permanently into your daily routine and keeping up faithfully over the long term, even once everything feels settled and life has returned largely to normal for you. In Singapore, act on these fast, because quick treatment protects your limb and your life.

Sources

Diabetes UK – Taking care of your feet: diabetes.org.uk
Diabetes UK – Diabetes and amputations: diabetes.org.uk
NHS – Peripheral arterial disease (PAD): nhs.uk
NHS – Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): nhs.uk
NHS – Pulmonary embolism: nhs.uk

General information only. This guide supports, but does not replace, the advice of your amputation rehabilitation team. Check your residual limb every day, and if your amputation was due to diabetes or poor circulation, protect your remaining leg and foot and never walk barefoot. Seek prompt medical help for signs of infection in the residual limb or a wound (spreading redness, heat, swelling, pus or fever), or a sore that will not heal. Call 995 for a suddenly cold, pale or very painful leg or foot (a possible circulation emergency), a swollen painful calf, or sudden breathlessness or chest pain (a possible blood clot). If you are struggling emotionally, you are not alone: the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) are on 1767 and mindline.sg on 1771.

Preventing Problems & Protecting Your Other Limb (Singapore)