Diabetes
and foot problems
Diabetes can
increase a person's risk of having foot problems. Since the extreme
consequences is amputation, foot care for someone with diabetes
becomes a daily priority. That's where pedorthics comes in.
The Certified Pedorthist (C.Ped.) is a specialist on the health care
team, a C.Ped. works toward long-term maintenance of healthy feet
and prevention of foot damage. Measuring a pt's feet, evaluating
footwear, and making sure new footwear, including orthosis, fits
properly allowing the C.Ped. to help prevent diabetic complications
by educating the patient and communicating potential problems to
the doctor.
People with diabetes need to take special care of their feet. Neuropathy
and blood vessel disease both increase the risk of foot ulcers. The
nerves to the feet are the longest in the body, and are most often
affected by neuropathy. Because of the loss of sensation caused by
neuropathy, sores or injuries to the feet may not be noticed and
may become ulcerated.
At least 15 percent of all people with diabetes eventually have a
foot ulcer, and 6 out of every 1,000 people with diabetes have an
amputation. However, doctors estimate that nearly three quarters
of all amputations caused by neuropathy and poor circulation could
be prevented with careful foot care.
To prevent foot problems from developing, people with diabetes should
follow these rules for foot care:
|
Check your feet and toes daily for any cuts,
sores, bruises, bumps, or infections. Use a mirror if necessary.
Wash your feet daily, using warm (not hot) water and a mild soap.
If you have neuropathy, you should test the water temperature with
your wrist before putting your feet in the water. Cover your feet
(except for the skin between the toes) with petroleum jelly, a
lotion containing lanolin, or cold cream before putting on shoes
and socks. In people with diabetes, the feet tend to sweat less
than normal. Using a moisturizer helps prevent dry cracked skin.
Wear thick, soft socks and avoid wearing slippery stockings, or stockings with
seams.
Shoes should fit your feet well and allqw your toes to move. Break in new shoes
gradually, wearing them for only an hour at a time at first. After years of
neuropathy, as reflexes are lost, the feet are likely to become wider and flatter.
If you have difficulty finding shoes that fit, ask your doctor to refer you
to a specialist, called a Pedorthist, who can provide you with corrective shoes
or inserts.
Inspect your shoes before putting them on to make sure they have no sharp edges,
or objects in them that might injure your feet.
Never go barefoot.
Cut your toenails straight across, but be careful not to leave any sharp corners
that could cut the next toe. Ask your doctor to check your feet at every visit,
and call your doctor if you notice that a sore is not healing well.
If you are not able to take care of your
own feet, ask your doctor to recommend a podiatrist (specialist
in the care and treatment of feet) who can help.
|
Diabetic Depth Shoes
- Apex
- Drew
- Advance
- P.W. Minor
- Ana-Tech
- Pedors
- Sequoia
- Apis
- Sanova
- Orthofeet
- Custom Molded Shoes for proper fit of foot deformity's
- Custom Molded AFO's & Healing boots for un-weighting
ulcers.
- "CROW boot" (Charcot Restraint Orthotic
Walker)
Pediatric Specialty Shoes
- Keeping Pace
- Advance Footwear
|
