Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is the inability to manufacture or properly use insulin, and it impairs the body’s ability to convert sugars, starches, and other foods into energy. The long-term effects of elevated blood sugar can lead to serious damage to the eyes, heart, kidney, nerves, and feet. Diabetes affects the lives of nearly 30 million people in the United States and another 84 million people have prediabetes, according to the CDC. While there is no cure for diabetes, there is hope. With proper diet, exercise, medical care, and careful management at home, a person with diabetes can avoid the most serious complications and enjoy a full and active life. Today’s podiatrist plays a key role in helping patients manage diabetes successfully and avoid foot-related complications.

What are symptoms of diabetes?

Diabetes warning signs involving the feet and ankles include the following: Skin color changes, swelling of the foot or ankle, numbness in the feet or toes, pain in the legs, open sores on the feet that are slow to heal, ingrown and fungal toenails, bleeding corns and calluses, dry cracks in the skin, especially around the heel.

What are footcare tips if you have diabetes?

If you have diabetes, follow these foot care tips:

• Inspect feet daily (Check your feet and toes daily for cuts, bruises, sores of changes to the toenails).
• Wear thick, soft socks.
• Avoid socks with seams, which could rub and cause blisters or other skin injuries.
• Exercising can keep weight down and improve circulation.
• Having new shoes properly measured and fitted.
• Do not go barefoot. Walking without shoes risk cuts and infection is too great with those with diabetes.
• Never try to remove calluses, corns, or warts by yourself.
• Have regular checkups by a podiatrist (at least annually to ensure that your feet remain healthy).

Source: APMA, www.apma.org/diabetescare

Charcot Foot

What is Charcot Foot?

The term “Charcot foot” describes a pattern of bone and joint damage that results in weaknesses in the structure of the foot. If left untreated, it can lead to foot deformity. Acute Charcot foot many times is undetected because there are no visible signs; however, changes to the bones of your feet occur as a result of a change in your nerves and blood vessels. When the bones change, even minor trauma can result in small fractures. Chronic Charcot foot results when those micro-fractures occur over and over without being stabilized. It can lead to deformities in which shoes may not fit and can result in pressure points that may lead to ulcers and infections if not treated.

What are causes and symptoms of Charcot Foot?

Charcot foot usually begins with peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage in the feet. Since the nerves do not function well, you may not sense pain when you injure your foot, or your foot muscles may not function to support the foot properly. Breaking bones or damaging joints without knowing may occur. Symptoms include burning, tingling, numbness, redness, or swelling.

How to Diagnosis and treat Charcot?

Charcot treatment is treated by eliminating any weight on the foot. Ways to remove pressure include casting, crutches or walkers, and special braces and/or footwear (please services tab). If the feet are severely deformed, a podiatrist may perform a surgical correction.

Source: APMA, https://www.apma.org/charcotfoot

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is damage of the peripheral nerves. These nerves are the nerves that travel to your arms and legs. When the nerves are damaged, they don’t function properly. People with peripheral neuropathy have decreased or abnormal sensation in their toes and fingers. Sometimes, they develop problems moving these parts of the body as well.

What causes peripheral neuropathy?

In the United States, the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes will develop neuropathy within their lifetime. Other causes may include certain medications, family history, advanced age, arthritis, alcoholism, neurological disorders, and acute injuries to the peripheral nerves.

What are symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?

The most common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include burning, numbness, tingling or shoot pain in the toes. Any change in sensation to fingers or toes may be a symptom of peripheral neuropathy.

How to diagnose and treat peripheral neuropathy?

The diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy is made based on a physical exam, health history, and reporting symptoms. A blood test may be ordered to check blood sugar levels because high blood sugar levels and diabetes are an important cause of peripheral neuropathy. Although there is no known cure for peripheral neuropathy, the goal of treatment is to slow the progression of the disease, to maintain foot health, and improve quality of life. A podiatrist may prescribe oral medication to help with symptoms. Your podiatrist will also show you how to take care of your feet at home. It is highly recommended that people with peripheral neuropathy should have their feet examined by a podiatrist at least once a year.

Source: APMA, https://www.apma.org/neuropathy