November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and diabetes is something that we’ve written about on the blog in the past. We’ve talked about caring for your diabetic feet, symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, common diabetic foot problems and how to preform self checks of your feet if you’re diabetic. It’s a topic that’s near and dear to our heart because diabetes can significantly impact your feet.
Because of this, we’re excited to help spread the word about Diabetes Awareness Month on our blog and with the help of the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society. As you may know, I sit on the Communications Cabinet of the AOFAS, and they are also working to spread awareness about diabetes and the toll it can take on your feet. Here’s a press release they created to help spread awareness of National Diabetes Awareness Month.
AOFAS Press Release
November is National Diabetes Month, a time to focus on a disease that affects over 30 million people in the US. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society® (AOFAS) raises awareness around the potential foot complications caused by diabetes and offers tips on how to prevent them.
Diabetes can cause poor circulation and nerve damage in the feet or hands, a condition known as neuropathy. The loss of feeling in your feet could lead to several foot problems including ulcers, infections, gangrene, and Charcot arthropathy, a syndrome that causes foot fractures or dislocations.
The most common foot complications seen in diabetic patients are slow-healing wounds, explains foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon, Lance M. Silverman, MD. “Healing is a tremendous challenge for this population, and small cuts or open sores can quickly become huge problems.”
Inspect and Take Care of Your Feet
If you have diabetes, foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons recommend inspecting your feet every day for any cuts, bruises, or blisters. Check between each toe and feel your feet for signs of swelling. If you find an injury, even if it is minor, consult with a medical doctor. Trim your toenails straight across and do not use chemical antiseptic solutions on your feet. Make sure to keep your feet away from heat sources such as radiators, heating pads, or fireplaces as you could get burned without feeling it.
Dr. Silverman added, “One of my most essential pieces of advice follows Benjamin Franklin’s adage, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.'”
Choose the Right Shoes
It is highly recommended for diabetics with loss of sensation to work with a pedorthist or trained shoe fitter when choosing their shoes. Try on shoes later in the day when your feet are larger and make sure they instantly feel comfortable. Diabetics should select shoes made from a flexible material with a wide toe box, and avoid sandals, flip flops, and high-heeled or pointed-toe shoes.
“The feet are essential for mobility,” says Dr. Silverman. “When diabetic foot complications develop, patients cannot safely work, play, or even perform some of the simple activities of daily living.” By recognizing and treating diabetic foot complications early, diabetics can maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.