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Diabetic Feet Can Have Serious Complications

If you are diabetic, then you need to know that your feet need extra attention. If you suffer from numbness in your feet, then you can't feel if you have a sore, cut, or gash on your feet.

People with diabetes also may suffer from poor circulation which hinders healing. These side effects of diabetes can result in an abrasion becoming severely infected to the point that a toe, foot, leg or knee may have to be amputated in order to stop the infection from spreading.

If it sounds scary, that's because it is. Up to 24% of diabetic patients who suffer from a foot ulcer will end in an amputation. If you are diabetic you are at high risk for a limb amputation. Diabetes is the main cause of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations. It is important that you take care of your feet if you are diabetic. We don't want to remove a limb, but if you don't take care of any complications, we will have to in order to save your body.

Diabetic Amputation Prevention

  • Examine your feet every day for cuts or other abrasions.
  • Don't skip your yearly podiatry appointment.
  • Always wear shoes, never go barefoot. You want to protect your feet as much as possible.
  • Never try to do any "home surgery" on your feet. If you have a callus or an ingrown toenail you want removed visit a podiatrist where they can remove it safely.

Amputations can be prevented if proper care is taken. Never just assume that a small cut will heal itself. The better you are informed, the better you can take care of yourself.