The highest incidents of non-traumatic lower leg amputation involve diabetic patients, according to Medical News Today. About 75,000 patients with diabetes loose a toe, foot or leg each year due to severe infections and tissue damage. Nerve damage and poor blood flow causes small injuries to quickly escalate, explains the MayoClinic.com. However, amputation is preventable with proper foot care. Keeping a diabetics' foot healthy is critical and foot care procedures take only a small amount of time a day.
Inspection
Daily visual foot inspections are recommended. A person with poor eyesight should ask for assistance with foot inspections. Patients should look and feel for any signs of injury. A diabetic must understand even a small cut or bruise quickly turns into an infected area if left untreated. Signs of possible foot problems include redness, swelling, foot odor, bruising and loss of hair on toes. Occasionally, a diabetic's foot fractures, yet the patient remains unaware of the injury because of decreased circulation and sensory loss. Diabetics may even walk on the fractured foot for several days to weeks without realizing the foot has become severely injured. Major deformities and further complications may occur. Signs of a foot fracture include redness, increased temperature and change in form or shape. Immediate medical attention is required.
Wash Feet
Wash feet daily with warm soap and water. A diabetic should test water with his hand or wrist prior to placing feet into it. A diabetic's foot may not feel extreme heat and burn injuries could occur. Rubbing a pumice stone on hard areas of the foot removes the formation of corns and calluses. A person should polish the stone on wet feet. Never attempt cutting calluses off or use chemicals, advises the American Diabetes Foundation. Drying feet thoroughly is important to removing water buildup.
Moisturize
Moisturizing the skin after bathing is critical. A diabetic patient's foot no longer emits oils which leads to cracking and extreme dryness, explains the American Diabetes Association. The association recommends applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly or other non-fragrance ointment to the foot. A person with diabetes should not apply the lotion between the toes where increased moisture leads to bacterial and fungal growth which are difficult to heal in a diabetic.
Foot Wear
Diabetics are discouraged to walk around barefoot due to the increased risk of injury. Soft, seamless socks are encouraged as well as wearing house shoes indoors. Diabetics should always feel inside of a shoe for loose pebbles or other items before putting a shoe on. The American Diabetes Association explains nerves in the foot may have become unable to detect something inside the shoe. Shoes should fit comfortably with enough room around the sides and toes to prevent squeezing from occurring. Special shoes made for diabetics are available and often covered by insurance plans.
References
- FamilyDoctor.org: Diabetes: Foot Care
- MayoClinic.com:Amputation and Diabetes: How to Protect Your Feet
- Foot Health and Facts: Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention
- American Diabetes Association: Foot Care
- Cleveland Clinic Journal Of Medicine: A Practical Guide for Examining and Treating the Diabetic Foot
