Diabetes is a systemic disease that affects many different parts of the body, and therefore may requires several different practitioners to treat or manage. A podiatrist plays a crucial role and contributes to the management of foot health and prevention of amputations.
People with diabetes experience foot complications due to the damage that diabetes causes to the nerves in the feet, blood circulation, and infection. Due to these adverse effects having diabetes increases the risk of developing foot ulcers and amputations. This damage is more likely if:
Foot care - early intervention is key
People with diabetes should regularly have a diabetic foot assessment by either a doctor or a podiatrist. This will allow to detect problems early on and prevent further complications.
Suggestions to help prevent problems include:
Daily Foot Checks
As diabetes can cause further complications to foot health, it is essential that those with diabetes undergo foot checks daily. The following should be looked for, and if present on the feet- seek medical treatment straight away.
Circulation
Poor blood glucose control can reduce supply of blood to the feet. This makes people with diabetes more prone to infection after they sustain an injury that breaks the skin. Signs of poor blood supply to the feet include:
Nerve Damage
Due to poor blood glucose control, people with diabetes can develop nerve damage to feet. Symptoms of nerve damage include:
These symptoms can lead to a loss of sensation to the feet, which increases the risk of damage to the feet, as the person can’t feel any pain. If this is not monitored people with diabetes may develop more severe complications such as chronic infection in the bones and joints of the feet.
Here at The Biomechanics, we aim to deliver the highest quality of care to help all clients with diabetes manage their foot health. Regular podiatry care plays a vital role in the prevention of diabetes foot complications.
We aim to provide patients with diabetes with the best practice when checking nerve supply and blood flow to their feet. During our comprehensive Diabetes Foot Assessments we will assess the current status of client’s foot health and help develop both short and long-term management strategies so all clients can have great outcomes and live an enjoyable life.
WE WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE BOON WURRUNG AND WURUNDJERI PEOPLES OF THE KULIN NATIONS WHO ARE THE CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND ON WHICH WE GATHER. WE PAY OUT RESPECTS TO THEIR ELDERS, PAST, PRESENT AND EMERGING.