Diabetic Foot & Podiatry

Active Lifestyle

India is becoming "Diabetes capital of the world". Currently the number of the diabetic patients in India are around 40.9 million & is the expected to rise to 69.9 million by 2025. The effect of diabetes on heart, kidney & eyes are very well known. 

So the aware population tries to adapt an active lifestyle. But they are unaware of the fact that diabetes can even affect their feet. This un-noticed complication is known as Diabetic Neuropathy, which can turn to be a biggest barrier to achieve active lifestyle. 60 - 70 %  of those with diabetes develop peripheral neuropathy. 20% of those develop foot ulcer.

Every 20 seconds, a limb is lost as a consequences of diabetes.

How Diabetes can hurt your feet...?

Diabetes causes two problems that can hurt your feet.

DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

With damaged nerves, you might not feel pain, heat, or cold in your legs & feet. A sore or cut on your foot may get worse because you do not know it is their.

SYMPTOMS:

• Burning, tingling sensations (worst in night).
• Numbness or insensitivity to pain or temperature.
• Extreme sensitivity to touch, even light touch.
• Sharp pain sensation & cramps.
• Loss of balance & co-ordination.

PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE (PVD)
The second problem happens when not enough blood flow makes it hard for a sore or infection to heal.

SYMPTOMS:

• Numbness & swelling in feet.
• Coldness of legs.
• Heaviness in legs or cramps, usually more at night.



Vicious Circle of Diabetes

• Discoloration of skin.

These two problems can work together to cause a foot problem. While standing & walking certain areas of foot are subjected to excessive pressure called "PRESSURE AREAS". These areas are prone for ulceration. Once ulcer is developed, it causes restriction in mobility & results in increase sugar level. Person is trapped in vicious circle.

WHAT IS SOLUTION...?

All these complications can prevented & treated with patient's education & help of "Podiatry Doctor"(Foot Doctor).

Podiatry

Podiatry Interventions

"Podiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the study of diagnosis & treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle & lower limb." 

Podiatrist's aim is to improve the mobility & quality of life, by following ways:

Conducting thorough clinical evaluation of foot & lower limb.

Gait Analysis.

Foot health education regarding self care techniques for prevention of foot pathology.

Prescribe right size of footwear, according to the client's foot length & width.

Prescribe customize orthotics: which help in redistribution of pressure under feet.

Non-surgical management of corn & calluses.

Correcting early foot deformity to avoid chronic mobility issues thus preventing patient from discomfort & future expense.

Take a step in the right direction by having your feet checked regularly by a podiatrist.

SAVE IT BEFORE YOU LOSE IT..!!

Listen to him..!