Why Diabetics Need to Pay Attention to Their Feet
Why Diabetics Need to Pay Attention to Their Feet – Many diabetics miss this foot condition, called Charcot foot until it’s too late.
Charcot foot occurs in one-third of diabetics in the US, and is caused by too much blood sugar. The sugar causes nerve damage and affects blood flow to the feet. People with Charcot foot initially lose feeling in their feet and legs; this condition is called peripheral neuropathy. If left untreated at this early stage, bones can weaken and break. If the bones are not healed with a cast and special orthopedic footwear, the condition can lead to deformity, disability, surgery and even amputation.
Any blisters or wounds that occur take a long time to heal in diabetics, which can lead to infection and sever infection can lead to gangrene and amputation.
People at risk for neuropathy and Charcot foot include diabetics, alcoholics, and chemotherapy patients, and experts at American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). recommend seeing a foot and ankle doctor every year to take preventive measures if found to be at risk for this condition.
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