| Shepherd Square Podiatry, PA |
Dr. Anthony Lamarra, DPM Associate, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons |
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2621 S. Shepherd, Ste. # 220 Houston, TX 77098 Phone: (713) 942-7700 Fax: (713) 529-6527 Email: info@doclamarra.com |
| Shepherd Square Podiatry - Dr. Anthony Lamarra, DPM - Phone 713-942-7700 - Fax 713-529-6527 Email info@doclamarra.com Copyright 2009 |
Diabetes and your feet
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. Diabetics must constantly monitor their feet or
face severe consequences, including amputation.
With a diabetic foot, a wound as small as a blister from wearing a shoe that`s too tight
can cause a lot of damage. Diabetes decreases blood flow, so injuries are slow to heal.
When your wound is not healing, it`s at risk for infection. As a diabetic, your infections
spread quickly. If you have diabetes, you should inspect your feet every day. Look for
puncture wounds, bruises, pressure areas, redness, warmth, blisters, ulcers,
scratches, cuts and nail problems. Get someone to help you, or use a mirror.
Here`s some basic advice for taking care of your feet:
* Always keep your feet warm.
* Don`t get your feet wet in snow or rain.
* Don`t put your feet on radiators or in front of the fireplace.
* Don`t smoke or sit cross-legged. Both decrease blood supply to your feet.
* Don`t soak your feet.
* Don`t use antiseptic solutions, drugstore medications, heating pads or sharp
instruments on your feet.
* Trim your toenails straight across. Avoid cutting the corners. Use a nail file or
emery board. If you find an ingrown toenail, contact our office.
* Use quality lotion to keep the skin of your feet soft and moist, but don`t put any
lotion between your toes.
* Wash your feet every day with mild soap and warm water.
* Wear loose socks to bed.
* Wear warm socks and shoes in winter.
* When drying your feet, pat each foot with a towel and be careful between your toes.
* Buy shoes that are comfortable without a "breaking in" period. Check how your
shoe fits in width, length, back, bottom of heel, and sole. Avoid pointed-toe styles
and high heels. Try to get shoes made with leather upper material and deep toe
boxes. Wear new shoes for only two hours or less at a time. Don`t wear the same
pair everyday. Inspect the inside of each shoe before putting it on. Don`t lace your
shoes too tightly or loosely.
* Choose socks and stockings carefully. Wear clean, dry socks every day. Avoid
socks with holes or wrinkles. Thin cotton socks are more absorbent for summer
wear. Square-toes socks will not squeeze your toes. Avoid stockings with elastic
tops.
When your feet become numb, they are at risk for becoming deformed. One way this
happens is through ulcers. Open sores may become infected. Another way is the bone
condition Charcot (pronounced "sharko") foot. This is one of the most serious foot
problems you can face. It warps the shape of your foot when your bones fracture and
disintegrate, and yet you continue to walk on it because it doesn`t hurt. Diabetic foot
ulcers and early phases of Charcot fractures can be treated with a total contact cast.
The shape of your foot molds the cast. It lets your ulcer heal by distributing weight and
relieving pressure. If you have Charcot foot, the cast controls your foot`s movement and
supports its contours if you don`t put any weight on it. To use a total contact cast, you
need good blood flow in your foot. The cast is changed every week or two until your foot
heals. A custom-walking boot is an another way to treat your Charcot foot. It supports the
foot until all the swelling goes down, which can take as long as a year. You should keep
from putting your weight on the Charcot foot. Surgery is considered if your deformity is
too severe for a brace or shoe.
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. Diabetics must constantly monitor their feet or
face severe consequences, including amputation.
With a diabetic foot, a wound as small as a blister from wearing a shoe that`s too tight
can cause a lot of damage. Diabetes decreases blood flow, so injuries are slow to heal.
When your wound is not healing, it`s at risk for infection. As a diabetic, your infections
spread quickly. If you have diabetes, you should inspect your feet every day. Look for
puncture wounds, bruises, pressure areas, redness, warmth, blisters, ulcers,
scratches, cuts and nail problems. Get someone to help you, or use a mirror.
Here`s some basic advice for taking care of your feet:
* Always keep your feet warm.
* Don`t get your feet wet in snow or rain.
* Don`t put your feet on radiators or in front of the fireplace.
* Don`t smoke or sit cross-legged. Both decrease blood supply to your feet.
* Don`t soak your feet.
* Don`t use antiseptic solutions, drugstore medications, heating pads or sharp
instruments on your feet.
* Trim your toenails straight across. Avoid cutting the corners. Use a nail file or
emery board. If you find an ingrown toenail, contact our office.
* Use quality lotion to keep the skin of your feet soft and moist, but don`t put any
lotion between your toes.
* Wash your feet every day with mild soap and warm water.
* Wear loose socks to bed.
* Wear warm socks and shoes in winter.
* When drying your feet, pat each foot with a towel and be careful between your toes.
* Buy shoes that are comfortable without a "breaking in" period. Check how your
shoe fits in width, length, back, bottom of heel, and sole. Avoid pointed-toe styles
and high heels. Try to get shoes made with leather upper material and deep toe
boxes. Wear new shoes for only two hours or less at a time. Don`t wear the same
pair everyday. Inspect the inside of each shoe before putting it on. Don`t lace your
shoes too tightly or loosely.
* Choose socks and stockings carefully. Wear clean, dry socks every day. Avoid
socks with holes or wrinkles. Thin cotton socks are more absorbent for summer
wear. Square-toes socks will not squeeze your toes. Avoid stockings with elastic
tops.
When your feet become numb, they are at risk for becoming deformed. One way this
happens is through ulcers. Open sores may become infected. Another way is the bone
condition Charcot (pronounced "sharko") foot. This is one of the most serious foot
problems you can face. It warps the shape of your foot when your bones fracture and
disintegrate, and yet you continue to walk on it because it doesn`t hurt. Diabetic foot
ulcers and early phases of Charcot fractures can be treated with a total contact cast.
The shape of your foot molds the cast. It lets your ulcer heal by distributing weight and
relieving pressure. If you have Charcot foot, the cast controls your foot`s movement and
supports its contours if you don`t put any weight on it. To use a total contact cast, you
need good blood flow in your foot. The cast is changed every week or two until your foot
heals. A custom-walking boot is an another way to treat your Charcot foot. It supports the
foot until all the swelling goes down, which can take as long as a year. You should keep
from putting your weight on the Charcot foot. Surgery is considered if your deformity is
too severe for a brace or shoe.
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