Amputation of the lower limb in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra.

With the increasing life expectancy of our population, peripheral vascular disease will soon become a major problem in our society. The incidence of neoplasia affecting the lower limbs is reported to be on the increase in Africa. The increased activity of our herbal colleagues has brought in its wake large numbers of patients with disastrous complications of cellulitis. The lack of sophisticated methods of diagnosis and treatment coupled with the ignorance of our people and late presentation mean that many limbs that could be salvaged will continue to be lost. We, as health workers, can lessen the emotional and social burden of these unfortunate patients by ensuring their early and rapid integration back into their communities.