Ho also stresses the even more worrisome fact that diabetics suffer "successive defeats" because they often ignore foot ulcers, which can spread from the toes, soles of the feet, and calves, making amputation unavoidable. Amputation is not only an expensive medical intervention, but it also takes a heavy toll on patients and their caregivers.
更令人心驚的是，侯育文指出，糖尿病患常因輕忽小小的足部潰瘍而「節節敗退」，從足趾、腳掌、小腿一路往上蔓延、截除，不只增加醫療支出，病人與照顧者更是身心俱疲。為了預防足底潰瘍的產生，糖尿病患者十分需要依據自己腳型訂做、以減輕足底壓力的特製鞋。