Foot Exams Help Prevent Ulcerations

diabetic foot syndrome

We urge all of our patients to make sure their primary-care physicians check their feet during every office visit for signs of ulcerations that, left untreated, can lead to infection and ultimately result in lower limb amputations.

It’s a simple exam that takes two minutes to determine if you are at risk for developing a foot ulcer. Perhaps the easiest way to remember to get your feet checked is to remove your shoes and socks in the examining room. Most diabetic patients are vulnerable to foot ulcerations caused by poor blood circulation in the lower extremities and neuropathy that inhibits nerve sensation.

Ulcers are the leading cause of foot amputations among people with diabetes, but they are preventable in most cases if doctors routinely check their patient’s feet.

In a routine foot exam we check for nerve sensation, skin irregularities (corns, calluses, punctures and areas of redness), swelling, drainage, and foot deformities that cause unnatural pressure points that are prone to ulceration.

Patients with diabetes who have their feet checked regularly can prevent foot ulcers or have them treated at early stages by their podiatrist.

Wireless Shoe Inserts

A Canadian company is producing a wireless shoe insert which supposedly will monitor the pressure people put on their feet. This will be particularly helpful for diabetics which often receive diabetic foot ulcers and numbness leading to amputations.

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Due to the numbness, diabetics don't feel pain in their feet which this new insert will help. A watch is worn with the inserts and will trigger if people are putting too much pressure on their feet and risking numbness.

The product is currently under approval so we'll see what comes of it! Hopefully this or something like it will be available soon to prevent more and more amputations everyday.