The reports on amputations due to CLI reveal a number of greater than 150,000–200,0000 major and minor lower extremity amputations in the US and Europe yearly. The amputation rate in the US has increased from 19 to 30 per 100,000 persons over the last two decades, primarily due to diabetes and an ageing population. In the population over 85 years of age the amputation rate is 140 per 100,000 persons per year with a mortality rate of 13–17%. When referring to CLI in diabetics, statistics show that one out of every four diabetics will face CLI within their lifetime, and those with CLI will have a 7–40 times greater risk of amputation. An amputation is a marker for death as the 3–4 year mortality post-amputation is > 50–60%.