Diabetic Foot

What is it?

Diabetes is a serious disease which develops from a lack of insulin production in the body or reduced ability to respond to the body’s glucose changes. Often the feet are affected by diabetes, therefore, proper footcare is extremely important in diabetic patients.

Diabetic foot conditions may develop:

Diabetic Neuropathy can cause insensitivity or a loss of ability to feel pain, heat, and cold. Diabetics suffering from neuropathy can develop minor cuts, scrapes, blisters, or pressure sores that they may not be aware of due to the insensitivity. If these minor injuries are left untreated, complications may result and lead to ulceration and possibly even amputation.

Peripheral vascular disease often appears in conjunction with diabetes and inhibits a person’s blood circulation.

 Injuries to the foot may go unnoticed resulting in infection and ulceration.

 How can we help?

  • Perform biomechanical gait analysis
  • Educate patients regarding  appropriate footwear
  • Footwear modifications to accommodate specific foot requirements
  • Fabricate custom made orthotics to protect and provide gentle support of the arch, bones and joints of the feet
  • Our podiatrist can:
    –  identify risk factors and treat them before they create more serious problems
    –  assess nerves and blood vessels in your feet and legs
    –  manage and treat conditions affecting the diabetic foot, nail care, wound care, etc.
    –  send reports to your family physician providing a team approach to your foot health -see or podiatry page

(An “ounce of prevention” that may eliminate a “pound of cure” later on)

It is imperative that a patient affected by diabetes inspect their feet daily.