Diabetic Foot Care and Amputation Prevention

The most common reason diabetics are hospitalized in the United States is foot infections. I know that's hard to believe, but true. Diabetes can be dangerous and devastating to your feet. The most common causes of these foot infections are improperly cut toenails and poorly fitting shoes. Yes, something as simple as a visit to the podiatrist to have your toenails cut and shoes custom fitted can avoid many amputations. Add poor circulation and lack of feeling known as peripheral neuropathy, and you have the prescription for disaster for diabetic feet.If you or someone you love has diabetes, keep reading. Did you know that every diabetic should be seeing a podiatrist at least once a year? This is the recommendation of the American Diabetes Association and CMS (Medicare). Why is this? Because almost 75% of diabetic amputation can be prevented with good foot care habits and frequent exams. Intrigued? Click on the subjects below to keep reading. Remember that only you can prevent diabetic amputations. Contact us or call for an appointment for a comprehensive diabetic foot examination.

Diabetic Foot Care Tips

Diabetic Ulcerations (Wounds)

Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Charcot Neuroarthropathy (Collapsing Foot)

Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

Finding the Right Shoes for Diabetic Feet

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Blog for Diabetic Limb Salvage

• Exercise Is Very Important For Type 2 Diabetics: New Guidelines

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Library for Diabetic Limb Salvage:

• Type 2 Diabetics Need To Exercise! New Guidelines   
  The physicians at Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas encourage our diabetics to exercise and can help you reach your goals with better shoe gear, functional foot orthotics and even physical therapy to get you on the road to better diabetes control! Do not use foot pain as an excuse not to exercise, contact us and get started today!
• Dark Callus in a Diabetic Patient Leads to Amputation   
  I was consulted on a diabetic patient in the hospital last week who was admitted because of a foot infection. They did not know how or why the foot infection came about, only that there was a dark callus on the bottom of their foot for at least a month. They didn’t think anything of it until the foot became red and swollen, then within 24 hours there was significant drainage from the callus, redness that streaked up the leg, fever and flu-like symptoms. They also noticed their sugars running very high.
• Summer is Approaching...Diabetics Check Your Feet   
  Summer time is almost here. The weather is becoming nicer and all I can think about is ditching my boots and closed toe shoes and putting on my sandals. Are my feet ready. Have I been taking care of them all winter long? Are they dry or possibly cracked?
• Nutrition May Be Time Key to Limiting Complications...   
  Diabetic complications are becoming more well known. In fact, many people are advocating aggressive control of diabetes to control the diabetic complications. Some nutrition changes may further help limit these complications also.
• So What Exactly is a Diabetic Ulcer and Why is it so Bad?   
  Those with diabetes and their friends and family members have at one point and time heard the term "diabetic ulcer". And it is usually followed by "that’s why their foot was amputated". So what is a diabetic ulcer?
• Save A Leg, Save A Life   
  One of the many complications associated with diabetes is the presence of diabetic foot ulcers. These ulcers are open wounds that are slow to heal, and affect roughly fifteen percent of all diabetic patients. Often the wound is explained by a loss of sensation in the foot, and the patient can not feel that there is an open sore on the bottom of their foot, and may not see it, either.
• How Should A Diabetic Foot Ulcer Be Treated?   
  The primary goal in the treatment of foot ulcers is to obtain healing as soon as possible. The faster the healing, the less chance for an infection. There are several key factors in the appropriate treatment of a diabetic foot ulcer.
• Diabetes and Foot Surgery   
  One remark I hear frequently from my diabetic patients is that they have the belief that since they are diabetic, they cannot and should not have foot surgery. Is this true?
• Obtaining Proper Shoes Through Medicare   
  Over the years, I have found that unfortunately, one of the best kept secrets among patients with diabetes is the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program. People with diabetes are instructed that they need to make sure they wear proper shoes. This is a program that makes this possible!
• Have Diabetes? No Bare Feet On The Beach!   
  People with diabetes are hammered with things they shouldn't do. Always high on the list is not to go barefoot. We always tend to over-analyze such recommendations, often to our own detriment.
• Diabetics are Losing Feeling in Their Feet! Why?   
  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
• Your 4 Keys To Reducing Your Diabetic Complications   
  People often worry about the complications that come with diabetes. Here are 4 keys to helping reduce your complication risks.
• So I'm Diabetic, Why Do I Need To See A Podiatris...   
  I think it is a wonderful thing when I see a diabetic for their first foot check. Most diabetics are oblivious to the fact that every diabetic should be seen once a year for a check up by a podiatrist. It is surprising that so many diabetics have been diabetic for years and never been to a podiatrist. So many times they tell me they have burning pain and tingling in their feet.
• Finding The Right Shoe For Diabetic Feet   
  When looking for diabetic shoes, here are a few tips in finding the right diabetic shoe for you! Read all about them in this article.
• Charcot Foot (Charcot Neuroarthropathy)   
  Funny name, but a serious limb threatening condition. Charcot (pronounced shar-ko) foot is a complete collapse of the bones in the foot or ankle that occurs from neuropathy. Neuropathy is severe nerve damage that can be caused from numerous conditions, most commonly diabetes. With neuropathy, there is a complete loss of sensation in the foot and ankle which allows the bones to become soft.
• Diabetic Foot Care Tips   
  The most common reason diabetics are hospitalized in the United States is foot infections. I know that’s hard to believe, but true. Diabetes can be dangerous and devastating to your feet. The most common causes of these foot infections are improperly cut toenails and poorly fitting shoes. Yes, something as simple as a visit to the podiatrist to have your toenails cut and shoes custom fitted can avoid many amputations
• Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention   
  Diabetes is nasty to your feet! People with diabetes are prone to foot problems due to peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease. In English, diabetes can cause you to have poor circulation and be unable to feel you feet. These problems together spell disaster.
• How Do I Know If I Have Poor Circulation?   
  How does a diabetic know if they have poor circulation in their feet? There is an increased incidence of peripheral arterial disease in diabetics. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is narrowing or blockage of arteries that results in poor blood flow to your legs. When you walk or exercise, your leg muscles do not get enough blood and you can get painful cramps. Peripheral arterial disease is also called peripheral vascular disease or simply poor circulation.Just like clogged arteries in the heart, clogged arteries in the legs mean you are at risk for having a heart attack or stroke.
• Simple Tips to Preserve Diabetic Foot Health   
  The most common reason diabetics are hospitalized in the United States is foot infections. I know that's hard to believe, but true. Diabetes can be dangerous and devastating to your feet. Here are some simple tips to preserve diabetic foot health.
• What is a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?   
  So what exactly is a Diabetic ulcer and why is it so bad? Those with diabetes and their friends and family members have at one point and time heard the term “diabetic ulcer”. And it is usually followed by “that’s why their foot was amputated”. So what is a diabetic ulcer?

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Frequent Questions for Diabetic Limb Salvage:

• Is a blister on a diabetic foot an emergency?
• Why is exercise encouraged with a good diet?

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Videos about Diabetic Limb Salvage:

• Dr Steinke Bio
• Diabetic Foot Infections Can Kill You!
• Diabetic Foot Infections Can Kill You!
• Tips to Prevent Diabetic Amputations, North Texas Podiatrist