What Is A Diabetic Foot And Why Is It A Problem?
Diabetic foot wounds are one of the highest contributors to non-traumatic lower-limb amputations. For a diabetic, an infection in the foot may go unnoticed, which can lead to serious consequences with amputation of the foot being a reality from an undiagnosed or treated injury.
A diabetic foot could be due from either of these two conditions stemming from diabetes:
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD limits the flow of blood to the extremities, including the feet and lower limbs. A small wound that would typically heal quickly in a healthy person will take longer due to limited blood flow and poor circulation. In the time it takes to heal, that wound is vulnerable to other infection.
- Sensory neuropathy. Nerves in the foot can be damaged with the ongoing progression of diabetes. This condition is called sensory neuropathy, where the foot starts to experience numbness. The lack of sensation in the foot makes it harder for a diabetic to tell if their foot has any injuries, like cuts, sores, or blisters.
Both peripheral arterial disease and sensory neuropathy can turn small foot abnormalities into difficult health issues for diabetics, which makes diabetic podiatry treatment crucial for anyone with diabetes. Read more about foot care for people with diabetes.
What Is A Diabetic Foot Screening?
Diabetes podiatry treatments requires long-term planning as a diabetic foot is a chronic, but manageable condition. The Foot Practice’s experienced podiatrists will develop a treatment plan to identify risks based on PAD and sensory neuropathy tests.
A diabetic foot screening is vital in assessing the extent to which diabetes is affecting your foot. Our specialised podiatrist can determine the extent of sensory neuropathy or PAD to understand how much at-risk you are for potential infection through a series of tests, such as the loss of feeling in the foot or whether sufficient blood supply circulates to the feet.
Our podiatrist will assess the current condition of your foot to spot neglected diseases and other potential injuries to conduct diabetic wound management and ensure infections are prevented. Our diabetes podiatry services also provide other treatments, such as removing dead skin that creates friction within the shoe or Total Contact Diabetic Insoles.
Lastly, our podiatrists will work with you and craft a tailored prevention plan specific to your condition to reduce the risk of future complications. They will teach you how to take care of your diabetic foot, whether via exercises to improve circulation, modify your life, or spot early infection signs on your own foot.
With most injuries, it is better to work towards prevention rather than rehabilitation, especially with podiatry for people with diabetes. If you want to address complications, make an appointment with The Foot Practice today for your diabetic foot screening in Singapore.