Diabetes and Foot Problems

Diabetes can lead to a number of complications, which can include problems with your feet. Problems with feet can lead to reduced mobility, which can lead to further health problems.

Ways that Diabetes Can Affect the Foot.

An early change can be what is known as poly distal neuropathy. This is a reduction in sensation, which commonly starts at the extremities, so loss of sensation in the toes and feet is how it first presents. The changes can be gradual, and it is possible that these changes can go undetected by an individual.
Nerves also affect muscle function too, and another consequence may be a change in shape of the foot. It is common for diabetic's toes to retract. This presents another problem, where the retracted toes now make contact on their tips, which become areas of high pressure. High pressure areas increase the risk of ulceration, as pressure reduces the blood supply to the tissues.
Diabetics will be immuno-compromised at some level, and as such have a reduced ability to fight infections. This has obvious consequences if there is ever a break in the skin.

Foot Checking

Diabetics should check their feet on a daily basis. With reduced sensation, it is possible to stand on something sharp, and not realise it. If this wound is not noticed and covered it can become infected, and with a reduced ability to fight the infection can become a serious complication.
Checking for blisters, cuts, redness or swelling in the foot should be a daily routine for diabetics. Advice should be sought if any of these occur.

Protection

Footwear should always be worn, even around the house. As sensation may be reduced, protection from any sharp objects is best by wearing footwear. Footwear should of course have enough room, and not be the cause of blisters or hard skin. Retracted toes take up more room in a shoe, so a deep toe box is ideal.

Prevention

Podiatrists will provide routine foot checks for diabetics, offer advice, treat any complications such as ulcerations, and produce specialist insoles if needed. A podiatrist will check the blood supply to the foot, identify any areas of high pressure, any loss of sensation and establish the level of risk of any complications. Diabetics should visit a podiatrist for a check up at least once every 12 months.
Tony Gavin BSc. MChS. Podiatrist
Davenport House Clinic
http://www.dhclinic.co.uk

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