Abstract
This study aims to determine the prevalence of Foot and Lower Limb (F&LL) pathologies at Mankweng Hospital. The study data were compiled from the OutPatient Department (OPD) registers. A total of 43 Patient Registers were found at multiple OPD clinics, including specialist clinics (viz., Family Medicine, Paediatrics, Orthopaedic, Surgical and Dermatology) and from them a total of 1675 records of foot and lower limb pathologies were identified and 883 patient files were retrieved from Mankweng Hospital. The research did not require patient interaction; thus, no consent was needed, but the researcher obtained a consent waiver. The researcher compiled the data on excel spreadsheets, and it was analysed. The study recorded all the F&LL pathology data in the registers and files.
This was a retrospective, quantitative cross-sectional design study and it showed that F&LL pathologies were more prevalent in females than males (53.6% vs 46.4%) within the age group of 40-49 and 50-59 years, with 18.1% and 20%, respectively. The associated systemic conditions were, namely, Hypertension (30.4%), Diabetes Mellitus (DM) (19.5%), Arthritis (18%), HIV/AIDS (11.9%), Mental Condition (2.7%) Eye Condition (0.6%); and other conditions were present in 16.8% of the cases. Foot and Lower Limb pathologies were commonly the primary complaints-of the patients presenting at the hospital. The most prevalent F&LL pathologies were related to Musculoskeletal (33.2%), pain (15.3%), Peripheral Ulcer/Wound (14.7%), Peripheral Vascular Disease (11.3%), Neurological (8.2%), Dermatological (6.7%), Peripheral Amputation (4.6%) and peripheral oedema (2.9%) and Diabetic Foot (2.9%). The associated risk factors were previous ulceration (31%), uncontrolled systemic condition (29.8%) Peripheral Neuropathy (13.6%), peripheral amputation (10.5%), Obesity (3.5%), Smoking (3.1%), other (1.6%).
The findings of this study significantly highlight the high prevalence of F&LL pathologies amongst patients and shows a direct association with uncontrolled systemic conditions. The findings in this study suggest that the increase of Foot and Lower Limb practitioners will aid in addressing these pathologies/risk factors at different levels of care through appropriate Foot Care Education and specific management.