The role of podiatry in the treatment of Diabetes

If you are a diabetic, you need to be including Podiatry as a part of you wellness plan.
Foot health is essential in avoiding succumbing to ulcerations and amputations.

Diabetes affects all of the organs in the body. The foot is the area that takes the greatest pressure. Be it from socks, footwear, work boots, barefoot walking these all impact on the diabetic foot.
Providing the best care, for patients’ with diabetes , requires a team effort. This includes GPs’, wound care services and the hospital specialists, (sometimes).

The podiatrist is essential in the prevention of pre-ulceration , managing, monitoring and the treatment of lesser foot problems.

Being in touch with your Podiatrist, Diabetic nurses and Gp’s , Is giving, you the patient, a future without major complications.
When there is cohesion between the patient and the different, agencies of health, the diabetic patient can live with a trauma free foot and better control of their diabetic condition, with the correct diet, medication exercise and cessation of smoking, all adds to a less complicated life for the diabetic patient, without a traumatic amputation and ulceration.

• No talcum powder should be sprinkled between the toes.
• No corn plasters
• No hot water footbaths (with a neuropathy you cannot feel temperature)
• No bare footed walking
• No blades to remove calluses

Do’s and Don’t’s for Healthy Feet

• Do wash and dry your feet regularly.
• Dry between the toes
• Check feet with a mirror on the floor or against the wall
• Check your footwear BEFORE you put them on.
• See a podiatrist regularly
• See your GP or Diabetes nurse regularly
• No talcum powder should be sprinkled between the toes.
• No corn plasters
• No hot water footbaths (with a neuropathy you cannot feel temperature)
• No bare footed walking
• No blades to remove calluses