The Releford Foot and Ankle Institute: Amputation Prevention
Diabetes can come with a number of complications, among them are foot problems. Statistics from the World Health Organization show that up to 10% of people living with diabetes get foot ulcers, among other foot and leg complications. These lower extremity complications are primarily caused by two diabetes-related issues: poor circulation and neuropathy (nerve damage).
On the one hand, poor circulation in the feet reduces the ability to heal. Therefore, even a tiny cut on your foot or leg can quickly develop into an infection and result in a huge wound that doesn’t heal. Neuropathy, on the other hand, causes the loss of feeling in the feet. With this complication, you don’t feel pain or discomfort in your feet, which means that you might not detect irritation or injury from wearing ill-fitting shoes or stepping onto a sharp object.
Diabetes-related foot and leg problems can become worse over time if not taken seriously from the onset. They may even lead to amputation. The good news, however, is that your foot and ankle surgeon can easily help you prevent amputation. But before we get into that, here are some of the most common diabetes-related leg and foot problems:
Common Diabetes-Related Foot and Leg Problems
Nail Disorders
Because of neuropathy, fungal nail infections and ingrown nails can go unnoticed. Without proper treatment, nail infections can get worse over time.
Charcot Foot
This complex foot deformity develops as a result of neuropathy and undetected broken bone, which leads to additional trauma to associated soft tissue structures. Because of the loss of sensation, the patient doesn’t feel any pain from the fracture, so they continue walking on the fractured bone, making the condition even worse.
Infections and ulcers that don’t heal
Because of neuropathy and poor circulation, tiny cuts and blisters can become infected very quickly and turn into ulcers that can be difficult to heal. If not treated appropriately, the ulcer can become complicated with infection and even lead to amputation.
Hammertoes and bunions
Neuropathy can also affect the muscles in your feet which can weaken them and result in loss of tone in your feet. This can lead to hammertoes and bunions, which, if left untreated, may cause ulcers.
Cracked, dry skin
While such skin may seem harmless, these cracks may easily become infected, lead to chronic wounds and lead to serious complications.
Other conditions include corns and calluses, which can also develop into serious sores and ulcers.
So What Can Your Foot and Surgeon Do to Prevent Amputation?
Your experienced foot and ankle surgeon or podiatrist will treat your wounds, and therefore, prevent amputation. At the Releford Foot and Ankle Institute, we have a number of treatment modalities that can heal wounds faster and prevent complications that can lead to amputation. With over 30 years’ experience, Dr. Bill Releford has used a wide range of advanced wound healing technologies to help thousands of patients prevent amputation.
A Regenerative Medicine Patent holder, Dr. Releford’s mission is to screen, educate, and treat patients at the risk of amputation. He has an exceptional wound-healing and amputation prevention rate. He works with a team of professional healthcare providers who will see to it that your diabetes complications do not lead to you losing your leg.
What Can You Do to Reduce Complications
There are many proactive measures that you can take to reduce foot and leg complications;
Inspect your feet/legs daily. Check for any nail or skin problems. Look for cuts, rashes, discoloration, redness, scrapes, swelling, and drainage. Be on the look-out for signs of fracture, for instance, swollen foot, change of shape or direction of your foot.
Don’t ignore pain. Seek care immediately
Don’t walk barefoot. Be sure to always wear shoes, outdoors and indoors
Trim your nails properly or see your foot care specialist regularly
Never trim corns or calluses yourself. Don’t use over-the-counter medicated pads. See your doctor
Have regular tests performed to check for poor circulation and nerve damage from diabetes
In case you notice any problems, see your foot and ankle surgeon immediately.
The good news is that the majority of amputations can be prevented with proper education, diet control as well as proper foot care.
