Dancing in 5in heels cost me my leg ... and nearly my life

WHEN she went out dancing in five-inch heels, Lorraine Burnett wasn’t surprised to end the night with blisters.

But what started out as a painful sore on her foot eventually resulted in her left leg being amputated below the knee

The 37-year-old, who has diabetes, developed a series of infections over two years.

Her kidneys were put under so much strain she now faces daily dialysis at home. At one point the mother of one was fighting for life and was put in an induced coma.

Sharing her story as a warning to others, the former care assistant said: ‘It breaks my heart to think my five-inch heels cost me my leg.’ Miss Burnett, from Dunfermline, Fife, splashed out on a new pair of heels for a Christmas party in 2008 and stayed out dancing in them until 2am.

A week later she went to a GP when the blister became so painful she could barely walk. But it would not heal despite antibiotics and she was referred to hospital.

The contaminated skin was removed, but the infection kept coming back. Miss Burnett then faced a devastating decision – to endure repeated infections for the rest of her life or lose her leg. Doctors recom- mended amputation, and in 2010 her lower left leg was removed in a five-hour op.

‘I had to give up my job, which was heartbreaking,’ she said. ‘I’d gone from someone who liked to go out all the time – a real party girl who enjoyed the good life – to pretty completely housebound.’

Diabetes is associated with poor circulation and slower healing so problems such as ulcers can become dangerous.

Miss Burnett, who lives with her 17-yearold daughter Megan, is now aiming to raise £9,000 for a new prosthetic limb.

‘Who knows, I might even be able to wear heels again,’ she said.