Its #Diabetesdecember at the Waterloo Foot Clinic and we are busy spreading the word on why foot health is so important to diabetics!
While the diagnosis of any condition can be frightening, there are many resources available for diabetics living in KW. Amidst learning the language of diabetes, adjusting to medications and daily sugar testing, patients often forget about one important aspect of diabetes management; foot health!
While we all need to be focused on maintaining optimal foot health, diabetics need to pay extra-close attention to their feet. This is because diabetics are at risk for developing what is known as "sensory neuropathy," which is the medical phrase for loss of sensation. While this can happen anywhere in the body, the most common area for it to occur in diabetics is the foot- and when it happens it can be serious if improperly managed.
Usually, sensory neuropathy in the diabetic foot starts with the feeling of tingling numbness or burning. As it progresses, diabetics are at risk for stepping on something without realizing they have done so. This can lead to infection. If allowed to persist without appropriate care, the infection can spread and result in gangrene or even limb loss. Indeed, diabetic foot infections are the leading cause of non traumatic foot amputation in Canada.
Fortunately, there are many precautions a newly diagnosed diabetic can take to protect their feet! The first step is seeing a Chiropodist, or foot specialist. On your first visit, the specialist will perform several tests to better understand the health of your foot, including vascular/blood flow, neurological, dermatological, and muskuloskeletal assessments, Your chiropodist will then use the information learned from these assessments to develop a management plan for you.
Usually much of this management involves extensive education, footcare and callous removal, footwear counsel and routine monitoring. That last part is the most important as seeing your chiropodist routinely, every six to eight weeks, is the key to ensuring optimal foot health!
So, if you have been recently diagnosed with Diabetes, take initiative for your foot health and call us today to schedule a consultation! Education is key- we can provide you with the tools and information necessary to We can help get you on the road to better foot health