November 14 is World Diabetes Day.
There are a number of diabetes-related complications among them are cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, various skin conditions, and serious foot ulcer.
Lower extremity amputations are among the most preventable of these complications. With proper care and attention to checking the feet at least once a day for small cuts and abrasions, the risks for DFU can be significantly decreased.
Dr. Kevin Lam, a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) says “Even those with good control of their blood sugar can experience foot ulcers, especially if neuropathy, a frequent diabetes complication, has caused decreased feeling on the bottom of their feet.”
The decreased sensation can inhibit the body’s normal pain response. Walking then can apply repetitive, unfelt pressure to a wound, making it larger and deeper. If not treated immediately, diabetic ulcers lead to serious infections, which may result in amputation.
Dr. Lam says foot and ankle surgeons use different surgical and non-surgical methods to heal diabetic ulcers, but stressed early intervention yields the most favorable outcomes.
Your best protection is daily self-examination of the feet. Small cuts, abrasions, or punctures can ulcerate over time and become infected. If you have diabetes and see anything unusual on your feet, consult a foot and ankle surgeon for diagnosis and treatment. Even a few days can make a difference in preventing serious foot wounds from developing.
Risks can be decreased significantly by following a few simple precautions:
- Keep your blood sugar under control to help minimize cardiovascular and blood circulation problems
- Lose weight, don’t smoke and adhere to prescribed dietary, medication and exercise regime
- At least once a day, examine your feet for cuts and other small wounds
- Never walk barefoot, outdoors and indoors
- Cut nails carefully – straight across and not too short; never trim corns and calluses yourself
- Wash your feet every day in lukewarm water; dry carefully
- Choose comfortable shoes with adequate room for the toes
- Wear clean, dry, non-bulky socks; change daily
- Shake pebbles or bits of gravel out of your shoes before wearing
- Seek treatment from a foot and ankle surgeon if minor cuts and sore spots don’t seem to be healing
For more information on diabetic foot conditions, contact Dr. Lam’s office at (239) 430-3668 NaplesPodiatrist.com, or visit the ACFAS consumer website, FootHealthFacts.org.
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