Why Is Diabetic Foot Care Important?

1. Why Is Diabetic Foot Care Important? Better foot care and clinical wound management is critical for diabetic patients, as even a small cut can lead to serious consequences. Hippocratic Solutions 363 Rt 46 West, Suite 220 Fairfield, NJ 07004

2. Many foot problems may occur in people with diabetes. It is a fact that diabetic patients need to take extra care to protect their feet from infection. People whose diabetes is not properly controlled tend to have more foot problems than non-diabetics. High blood sugar levels over time can cause nerve damage and circulation problems. These problems can cause or contribute to foot problems. Left unnoticed or untreated, sores, ingrown toenails, and other problems can lead to infection. Podiatrists and other physicians play a key role in increasing awareness and educating diabetic patients about the importance of routine foot care. Podiatrists treat corns, calluses, and foot sores to prevent more serious problems from developing. Reliable podiatry billing services are available to help foot and ankle surgeons meet their billing submission tasks. According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 60 percent of all non-traumatic lower limb amputations worldwide are related to complications from diabetes. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) also suggests that including a podiatrist in your diabetes care can reduce the risk of lower limb amputation up to 85 percent. How Diabetes Affects the Foot Diabetes-related foot problems can worsen very quickly and are difficult to treat. Poor circulation makes healing an infection difficult. Nerve damage combined with poor circulation can slow healing and increase the chances of infection. Damage to nerves can also reduce the ability to sense pain, heat, and cold. Diabetes can cause: •poor blood flow •decreased infection fighting capability •numbness of the feet •reduced healing potential •changes in the shape of the feet or toes Combined together, these problems can lead to serious complications. www.hippocraticsolutions.com (866) 305-3911

3. Early warning signs of foot problems include changes to the color or shape of the feet, burning, tingling, or painful feet, loss of hair on the toes, feet, and lower legs, skin color changes, swelling of the foot or ankle, ingrown and fungal toenails, bleeding corns and calluses or dry cracks in the skin/heel. Common Diabetic Foot Problems Foot problems that may occur due to high blood sugar levels include neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, Charcot foot, and all those can have serious complications. •Peripheral neuropathy - Peripheral neuropathy is an abnormal or lack of sensation in the foot or feet.People with peripheral neuropathy don’t feel or sense any break in the skin and the wound may go untreated, leading to an increased risk of cuts, sores, and blisters and thus infected ulceration. Peripheral neuropathy also causes a tingling, pain, or burning in the involved areas. It can also cause the muscles of the feet to work improperly, leading to misalignment of the foot that can put pressure on certain areas of the foot. •Peripheral vascular disease - Peripheral artery disease (PAD) or peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is referred to as "hardening" of the arteries. In addition to pain in the calves during exercise, the signs and symptoms of peripheral artery disease relate to a decreased delivery of oxygen to the lower legs and feet. In severe cases, the lack of oxygen delivery to tissues can result in ulcers and even gangrene (tissue death). •Charcot foot - Charcot foot or Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy (CN) is a condition causing weakening of the bones in the foot that can occur in people who have significant nerve damage (neuropathy) mainly due to diabetes. It alters the shape of the feet as bones in the foot and toe shift or break. This condition often goes unrecognized, particularly in the acute phase, until severe complications occur. It can even lead to amputation, if not properly treated. www.hippocraticsolutions.com (866) 305-3911

4. Diabetic people are also at increased risk for milder problems with the feet that occur more frequently such as calluses and corns, fungal nail infections, tinea pedis or athlete's foot, bunions, and ingrown toenails. Key Foot Care Tips for Diabetic Patients Diabetes-related foot problems can be prevented to a great extent by keeping blood sugar levels under control. Other key tips to consider include •Check your feet daily - A daily foot check is crucial to know about any problems. Make sure to check your feet and toes for any cuts, bruises, sores, or changes to the toenails, such as thickening or discoloration. •Avoid walking barefoot - Even at home, do not walk barefoot. Stepping on any hard things can cause a scratch or cut. The risk of cuts and infection is more for those with diabetes. •Wear comfortable shoes and socks– Make sure to buy shoes that fit properly. A podiatrist may recommend special shoes to help prevent deformities. Also avoid wearing socks with seams, as it could rub and cause blisters or other skin injuries. •Trim toenails carefully– Cut your toenails straight across. Do not cut the corners shorter than the rest of the nail, as this could lead to ingrown toenails. •Regular exercise and healthy lifestyle changes– Exercises like walking can help with weight loss and thus improves circulation. Also, consider a healthy diet and avoid smoking. •Go for regular checkups – A regular checkup by a podiatrist, at least once a year is an ideal way to ensure that your feet remain healthy. Podiatrists will examine your feet at every visit and do a thorough foot exam once a year, thus preventing any neuropathy foot problems. Never try to remove calluses, corns, or warts by yourself. Over-the-counter products can burn the skin and cause irreparable damage to the foot for people with diabetes. www.hippocraticsolutions.com (866) 305-3911

5. Based on the reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health Diabetes Information Clearing- house, comprehensive foot care programs, which include foot care education, risk assessment, and preventive therapy, may decrease amputation rates by 45% to 85%. A podiatrist who specializes in diabetic foot care can provide the right recommendations for patients to prevent any foot problems. An experienced podiatry billing company can help podiatrists and wound care practices focus more on patient care than on administrative tasks. www.hippocraticsolutions.com (866) 305-3911