Diabetic Foot Care: Caring for and Treating Foot and Ankle Conditions Related to Diabetes

1. DIABETIC FOOT CARE CARING FOR AND TREATING FOOT AND ANKLE CONDITIONS RELATED TO DIABETES

2. DIABETES • Diabetes includes a group of different diseases affecting your body’s insulin production or response, resulting in too much sugar in your blood • Common types of diabetes includes: • Type 1 Diabetes – Pancreas produces little or no insulin • Type 2 Diabetes – Impacts how body processes glucose • Prediabetes – High blood sugar but not high enough to receive type 2 diagnosis • Gestational Diabetes – High blood sugar in pregnant women

3. DIABETICS RELATION TO FOOT & ANKLE CONDITIONS • Diabetics are more likely to have problems in their lower extremities due to nerve damage and poor blood circulation caused by diabetic neuropathy and/or peripheral vascular disease • This leads to decreased sensation in diabetics’ toes, feet, ankles and lower legs, reducing detection of an injury, sore, cut or swelling • A problem that goes unnoticed can result in a diabetic foot ulcer, which can become infected • If an infection is not treated quickly or properly, amputation may be the only way to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body

4. WHEN TO SEE YOUR PODIATRIST FOR DIABETIC FOOT TREATMENT • While some problems you can treat and monitor at home, you should see your podiatrist immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms: • Skin on feet, ankles or legs change colors • Noticeable swelling • Sores that keep returning • Pain and tingling • Fever • Chills • Shaking

5. NONSURGICAL TREATMENTS FOR DIABETIC FOOT PROBLEMS • Before resulting to more invasive methods, your podiatrist will first recommend conservative options to treat complications and pain from diabetic neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease including: • Cleaning and dressing your wound, cut or foot ulcer • Immobilizing your foot with cast, boot or other immobilization device • Observing and monitoring infection in case more invasive methods are needed

6. SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR YOUR DIABETIC FOOT PROBLEMS • If your case is severe or if conservative methods fail, your podiatrist may recommend one of the following surgical methods to reduce your pain and heal your condition: • Removal of tissue that is dead or decaying • Placing stents to lessen or resolve problems associated with peripheral vascular disease • Decompression of nerves for patients with diabetic neuropathy • Foot or ankle surgery to salvage the limb • Release tendon for rebalancing and offloading toes or feet • If necessary, amputating the infected limb. This could be just the toe, or the whole leg in advanced cases

7. PREVENTING FOOT & ANKLE PROBLEMS IN DIABETICS • If you have diabetes, the only way to prevent a life-threatening infection is to be vigilant • See your podiatrist regularly for check ups and keep an eye on your foot and ankle health in between • Keep your diabetes in check. Nerve damage is often results when the condition is out of control • Eat a healthy diet • Exercise regularly • Monitor your blood sugar levels

8. DAILY DIABETIC FOOT CARE • To keep painful foot and ankle conditions caused by your diabetes at bay, there are a few things that should be done daily: • Wash and dry feet thoroughly • Keep feet from drying out by applying a mild lotion • Avoid going barefoot, even in your home • Keep your toe nails trimmed and clean • Inspect your feet for cracks, cuts, blisters, sores, scratches, redness, tenderness, ingrown toenail and corns. If you notice any of these problems, address them immediately