A complication arising due to prolonged periods of high blood sugar, diabetic foot is a condition characterized by foot problems or injuries which occur due to nerve damage in the extremities and can cause ulcer and infection. The feet do not get an adequate supply of blood or oxygen due to the damage to the blood vessels. Foot infections are one of the most common health complications resulting due to diabetes.
Diabetic patients have a high predilection for delayed wound healing and the presence of cuts or blisters on the feet that do not heal can lead to the development of some serious diabetic ulcers. More than half of the people with diabetes may have reduced nerve sensation and nerve damage that is commonly known as diabetic neuropathy. While nerve damage can exist in any part of the body, usually the nerves in the extremities are the ones that are affected and the lower limbs more than the upper. This nerve damage can cause loss of sensation in the affected area. The neuropathy may result in either loss of sensation and inability to experience temperature or vibration. Individuals with neuropathy may also experience tingling, numbness or burning sensation in the feet.
Diabetes foot disease can impair mobility and reduce the quality of life and increase the chances of infections and serious complications. People with diabetes may have a reduced blood supply to the feet which again is called diabetic peripheral vascular disease and that predisposes the individual to worsened infections in case of cuts or wounds.
A severe complication of diabetic foot results in amputation of the affected part of the limb due to gangrene to prevent further spread of the infection.
Diabetic foot ulcers may present as over a wide range including arterial ulcers, venous ulcers, trophic or neuropathic ulcers, decubitus ulcers, nail pathology associated ulcers and others.
Management of ulcers and preventing their recurrence is vital for the standard of life of the individual and reducing the cost of care of treatment. Altered bio-mechanics as a result of deformities secondary to neuropathy and limited joint mobility results in focal points of increased pressure, which compromises circulation resulting in ulcers.
Ulcer management should include correction of altered biomechanics to reduce the focal pressure points and prevent recurrence along with measures to heal the ulcer.
Patients with diabetic foot problems are divided into four classes of incremental severity.
Also diabetic foot patients need Nerve surgeries to relieve from nerve compression symptoms (tarsal tunnel release and common peroneal release) and vascular surgeries to improve blood supply (angioplasty & stenting/ open bypass surgery).
Foot care is an important part in diabetic patients. Diabetes may cause you to possess problems due to poor blood flow (circulation) to your feet and legs, which may cause your skin to:
You may even have nerve damage (neuropathy) in your legs and feet, causing decreased feeling in them. This means that you simply might not notice minor injuries to your feet that would cause more serious problems. Observing and addressing any such potential problems early is the best way to prevent future foot problems.
