Regular foot screenings are key to preventing foot
complications due to diabetes. Many potential problems lie
under the surface and cannot easily be seen. Calluses and
blisters that are often dismissed as insignificant can quickly
become major problems for diabetic patients. In addition
to regular screenings, Chicago Podiatric Surgeons can also
perform routine nail care to help ensure the health of your
feet. ·
Diabetes, over time,
can restrict blood circulation and damage nerves throughout
the body. This damage is often seen in the extremities, such
as the feet and legs, and can cause tingling, numbness, or
even complete loss of feeling. Pain is often the first sign
of a problem, but in people with diabetic neuropathy this
early warning may not exist. Something as simple as a splinter
can go undetected and develop into an open wound. Simple
tests exist to determine the extent of the nerve damage and
sensitivity to various stimuli.
The majority of diabetic foot complications that
result in the need for amputation begin with skin ulcers.
Early detection and appropriate treatment of these ulcers
is key to limb preservation. Ulcer management treatments
have improved rapidly over the past years and continue to
evolve. Chicago Podiatric Surgeons is committed to staying
on top of the latest advances in foot care and is constantly
evaluating new treatments and techniques to help ensure you
receive the best care possible.
Charcot Arthropathy, often referred to as Charcot’s
Foot, is a very complex complication of diabetes. Charcot’s
Foot is a swelling and deformity of the foot that often seems
to develop for no apparent reason. The likely cause is actually
usually associated with severe neuropathy that leads to a
weakening of the bones in the foot. These weakened bones
may fracture without any noticeable trauma and because of
the severe nerve damage there is often no detectable pain.
The patient usually continues to walk on the foot without
realizing there is a problem, causing more damage. Charcot’s
Foot is often under-diagnosed by general physicians because
of its similar appearance to a bone infection on x-ray films
and other imaging technologies. If there has not been a break
in the skin and no other apparent cause of infection exists
Charcot’s Foot should be considered. Bone scans, MRI,
and bone tissue biopsies may be helpful in confirming a diagnosis.
Osteomyelitis
is a potentially destructive bone infection. Diabetic patients
are at an increased risk due to poor circulation issues and
an increased risk of open foot sores. Although a bone infection
may be the result of an infection elsewhere in the body,
in diabetic patients a likely source is a deep foot ulcer,
especially if it reaches the bone. Treatments range from
administering antibiotics to surgical procedures to remove
affected tissues depending on the severity of the infection.
Thorough and ongoing treatment are key to the successful
healing of this condition. ·
Chicago Podiatric Surgeons can provide
customized orthotics and shoes designed specifically for
diabetic patients. Proper shoe gear with the right fit is
key to the prevention of ulcers and other foot complications.
Shoes are available in a variety of styles for comfort, fashion,
and ease.
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