Diabetes
Impacts on Circulation & Wound Healing in Limbs
Living with diabetes means facing daily challenges that often go beyond managing blood sugar levels. Many people are unaware that, over time, diabetes can silently affect the health of their legs and feet, leading to slow-healing wounds, loss of sensation, and serious complications. Understanding what happens inside the body is the first step towards prevention and maintaining quality of life.
About
Diabetes
What Happens Inside the Body?
Type 2 diabetes – accounting for around 90% of cases in the UK – is linked to an excess of glucose in the blood, which gradually damages blood vessels and peripheral nerves in the feet and legs. This damage manifests as:
Poor circulation (peripheral arterial disease): blood vessels become stiff and narrowed, limiting oxygen and nutrient supply.
Peripheral neuropathy: reduced sensitivity to pain or injury means wounds may go unnoticed.
Delayed healing: the inflammatory phase is prolonged, and the formation of new tissue is slower, resulting in weaker scars.
These changes create the conditions for chronic infections, ulcers, and an increased risk of amputation if not addressed promptly.
Key UK Statistics
Diabetes prevalence
Over 5.8 million people in the UK live with diabetes, of which approximately 4.6 million are diagnosed and around 1.3 million may be undiagnosed, according to Diabetes UK (2023‑24).
Including prediabetes, the total number of affected adults rises to 12.1 million, according to Diabetes UK.
Diabetic foot ulcers and wound healing
Between 19% and 34% of people with diabetes will develop a diabetic foot ulcer in their lifetime, according to the Journal of Vascular Surgery (2023).
In 2022‑23, there were 122,030 ulcer episodes among 106,880 people with diabetes, according to the NHS National Diabetes Footcare Audit.
Only 3.6% to 54.2% of patients with severe ulcers showed improvement within twelve weeks of initial assessment, according to the National Diabetes Footcare Audit (2023).
Amputations and mortality
In England, nearly 169 amputations related to diabetic complications are carried out every week, according to the British Medical Journal (BMJ, 2022).
Between 2017 and 2020, there were approximately 8,000 major amputations linked to diabetes, according to Diabetes and Lower Limb Complications (NHS Resolution, 2022).
Around 40% of patients with a diabetic ulcer die within five years, and mortality following a major amputation can reach 50% within two years, according to Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice (2023).
Direct costs to the NHS
The average cost of treating a diabetic foot ulcer over 12 months ranges from £7,800 to £8,800 per ulcer, rising to £16,900 if it results in an amputation, according to the Journal of Vascular Societies Great Britain and Ireland (2022).
Annual NHS spending on treating diabetic ulcers and amputations is estimated at £1 billion, according to Diabetic Medicine (2022).
Warning Signs in the Limbs
Persistent changes in colour (paleness, redness, or dark spots).
Cold skin, swelling, or temperature variations in feet and legs.
Tingling, burning, or partial loss of sensation.
Wounds that do not heal within two weeks.
Before
After
The Prosalud Vibrotherapy Solution
Daily physiotherapy to improve leg circulation and prevent diabetic complications
People with diabetes, especially when blood glucose levels are not well controlled, may develop blood vessel and nerve damage. This condition, known as diabetic angiopathy and peripheral neuropathy, reduces blood flow and sensation in the feet and legs. As a result, wounds heal more slowly, and the risk of infections and diabetic foot increases.
Physiologically, poor circulation in diabetes occurs because:
Endothelial damage: high glucose damages the endothelium (the inner lining of blood vessels), reducing nitric oxide production, a molecule that dilates vessels and improves blood flow.
Capillary thickening: capillaries become stiffer and narrower, making it harder for oxygenated blood to reach tissues.
Reduced muscle activity: lack of movement limits the “pump effect” created by muscle contractions, decreasing venous return.
Daily physiotherapy helps counteract these effects by:
Stimulating microcirculation: repeated, controlled muscle movements increase oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues.
Improving venous and lymphatic drainage: reduces swelling and prevents fluid build-up in feet and ankles.
Enhancing wound healing: improved blood flow accelerates the delivery of repair cells to wounds.
Maintaining joint mobility: prevents stiffness and contractures, common in neuropathy.
According to the American Diabetes Association and NHS England, incorporating specific daily leg mobility and stimulation exercises significantly reduces the risk of ulcers and amputations by improving blood perfusion.
Vibrotherapy for circulation in people with diabetes (without heat)
Vibrotherapy applies controlled mechanical vibrations to the muscles and peripheral vascular system. These vibrations cause involuntary micro-muscle contractions, stimulating venous return and improving tissue oxygenation without the use of heat — important for cases at risk of ulcerations, as excess warmth can worsen inflammation.
Physiological benefits of vibrotherapy for poor leg circulation:
Increased local blood flow through mechanical vasodilation.
Activation of deep muscle fibres without physical exertion, ideal for people with limited mobility.
Prevention of venous stasis and reduction of leg heaviness.
Stimulation of nerve sensitivity in mild neuropathy, helping preserve tactile perception.
A study published in the Journal of Diabetes Research (2017) showed that localized mechanical stimulation improves skin and muscle circulation in the lower limbs of people with type 2 diabetes, promoting tissue health and reducing the occurrence of lesions.
Sources:
American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes – 2024.
NHS England. Diabetic Foot Care Prevention.
Medical Advice & Supporting Research
The Importance of a Preventive Approach
Early detection and treatment of circulatory or neuropathic changes, alongside regular podiatry assessments and prompt care, could prevent up to 80% of diabetes-related amputations, according to Diabetes UK (2023).
The goal is to promote faster healing, prevent infections, and maintain patient mobility—reducing both mortality and NHS healthcare costs.
The Prosalud Company massager is engineered as a therapeutic instrument for home use, combining low‑frequency vibration that activates deep muscle fibres with controlled heat to maximise relaxation and circulation.