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If you have diabetes, the damaged nerves and poor blood circulation that often accompany elevated blood sugar can create a number of problems with your feet. Nerve damage can cause a loss of feeling in your lower limbs, making it difficult to detect pain or sensation as easily or readily as someone who does not have diabetes. This is why diabetics get infections so frequently from something as simple as a small cut or blister on the foot. When a person is unable to detect a foot wound it can easily become infected, leading to more serious complications and even amputation in the most severe cases. Diabetic foot wounds that are not properly treated can deteriorate quickly; so severely that doctors may have no other choice but to eliminate the problem altogether. In fact, a patient with diabetes is 10 to 30 times more likely to have a lower limb amputated than a person without the disease. Studies also show that people with diabetes account for 60 percent of all lower-limb amputations in the United States. Fortunately, simple self-care and regular visits to your podiatrist are often enough to keep your diabetes under control and your feet healthy. If you are diabetic, talk to your podiatrist in Brooklyn about the best ways to care for your feet through careful management of your diabetes. Regular Care with Your Brooklyn Podiatrist The importance of regular foot inspections becomes especially crucial for someone with diabetes. This means examining your feet every day and after every injury, regardless of how minor you may think the injury is. Diabetics should also see a podiatrist, at least once a year, for regular checkups. A professional podiatrist in Brooklyn can identify signs of changes, broken skin or ulcers that may require special attention. He can also check your blood circulation, identify loss of sensation or detect areas of high pressure- all of which require professional medical care. Early detection of foot problems could mean the difference between losing and saving your foot. Prescription Shoes from Your Brooklyn Podiatrist Prescription orthopedic shoes may help people with diabetes avoid painful infections and wounds. This footwear has special inserts for various foot types and problems, and can be provided after a careful exam with your Brooklyn podiatrist. The various shoe types include: Custom-made shoes.
Although rare, for extreme foot deformities custom-made shoes can be created from a cast or model of the patient's foot. External shoe modifications.
This involves modifying the outside of the shoe in some way, such as modifying the shape of the sole or adding shock-absorbing or stabilizing materials. Healing shoes.
Following ulcer treatment or surgery, a special shoe may be necessary before a patient's regular shoe can be worn. This may include open-toed sandals, heat-moldable healing shoes and post-operative shoes. In-depth shoes.
The in-depth shoe is the basis for most footwear prescription. These shoes are generally light in weight, have shock-absorbing soles, and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes to accommodate virtually any foot. In-depth shoes are crafted to allow extra volume to accommodate any needed inserts or orthoses, as well as deformities commonly associated with a diabetic foot. Extra Care for Avoiding Foot Problems With extra care, many diabetic foot problems can be avoided.
• Wash your feet daily with lukewarm water and mild soap, and dry them thoroughly
• Keep the skin on your feet smooth and soft by applying a non-irritating moisturizer, avoiding the areas between the toes
• Avoid ingrown toenails than can get infected by keeping them neatly trimmed
• Quit Smoking. It can cause decreased blood flow to the feet and make wounds heal slowly.
• Wear clean, dry socks and change them every day
• Avoid walking barefoot to protect feet from harmful foreign particles
• Never attempt to remove corns, calluses or other sores from your feet on your own. See a podiatrist in Brooklyn for safe and pain free removal. Early detection, simple care and regular inspections can go a long way to avoid serious foot complications related to diabetes. Diabetes is serious, especially when it comes to your feet. If you have diabetes, talk with your podiatrist in Brooklyn about what you can do now to keep your feet safe, strong, and healthy for a lifetime.
Dr. Perlstein is a podiatrist in Brooklyn, treating more than 25,000 patients since 1986. This experienced Brooklyn, NY podiatrist offers a wide range of foot and ankle care including emergency care and treatment for bunions. His office is also open on Sundays.
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