Diabetic Foot Care | Podiatrist

DIABETIC FOOT CARE

Diabetic Foot Care in Alexandria, VA

Why is Diabetic Foot Care Important?

According to the American Diabetes Association, about 15.7 million people (5.9 percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands.

Foot problems are a big risk in diabetics. Diabetics must constantly monitor their feet or face severe consequences, including amputation. With a diabetic foot, a wound as small as a blister from wearing a shoe that’s too tight can cause a lot of damage. Diabetes decreases blood flow, so injuries are slow to heal. When your wound is not healing, it’s at risk for infection. As a diabetic, your infections spread quickly. If you have diabetes, you should inspect your feet every day. Look for puncture wounds, bruises, pressure areas, redness, warmth, blisters, ulcers, scratches, cuts and nail problems. If necessary, get someone to help you, or use a mirror.

When your feet become numb, they are at risk for becoming deformed. One way this happens is through ulcers. Open sores may become infected. Another way is the bone condition Charcot (pronounced “sharko”) foot. This is one of the most serious foot problems you can face. It warps the shape of your foot when your bones fracture and disintegrate, and yet you continue to walk on it because it doesn’t hurt. Diabetic foot ulcers and early phases of Charcot fractures can be treated with a total contact cast.

The shape of your foot molds the cast. It lets your ulcer heal by distributing weight and relieving pressure. If you have Charcot foot, the cast controls your foot’s movement and supports its contours if you don’t put any weight on it. To use a total contact cast, you need good blood flow in your foot. The cast is changed every week or two until your foot heals. A custom-walking boot is another way to treat your Charcot foot. It supports the foot until all the swelling goes down, which can take as long as a year. You should keep from putting your weight on the Charcot foot. Surgery is considered if your deformity is too severe for a brace or shoe.

Diabetic Foot Care Tips

By Kostadinka Skandeva DPM • 17 Jul, 2018

Diabetes can cause problems with your feet. Foot disorders are some of the most prevalent and neglected health issues in the United States. Diabetes often reduces blood flow to your feet and this can lead to oxygen deprivation. The results are diabetic nerve damage that causes numbness as well as sores and infections. Several diabetic foot care tips are below.

Daily Inspection: Diabetes may cause numbness in your feet making it hard to detect an infection. You should check your feet closely every day. Look for changes in cracked skin, color or sores. Put a mirror on the floor to see the bottom of each foot clearly.
Drying Feet: Make sure you dry your feet thoroughly after bathing. The space between the toes is vulnerable to infection if it remains moist. When you use lotion avoid putting it between your toes.
See a Doctor: A podiatrist specializes in foot care and can treat your foot woes properly. Our Alexandria VA podiatristcan diagnose, treat and help you prevent problems.
Orthotics: Orthotic footwear can provide protection and comfort. You can buy special shoes that are for people with diabetes. A podiatrist can give you advice about where you can get the shoes. Medicaid covers one pair of custom-molded diabetic shoes.
Blood Sugar: An out-of-control blood sugar level can lead to nerve cell damage and make it hard for you to fight an infection. If you control your blood glucose level you may prevent or delay damage.

The main diabetic foot care tips are to monitor your blood sugar level, inspect your feet every day, watch your weight and wear comfortable shoes. If you notice any changes that concern you, then it is a good idea to see your foot doctor in Alexandria VAimmediately.

Common Conditions

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