Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the many possible complications of having high blood sugar over a long period of time. Those people living with diabetes who have a problem in keeping their blood sugars within an acceptable level often run the risk of developing a condition called “diabetic neuropathy”. The sensory nerves that tell a person whether something is hot, cold, hard, soft or whether there is an excessive pressure at on on any part of the foot no longer works. The person ends up having no idea whether something is harming their feet.
In 2007, I had the privilege of attending a conference on Diabetic Limb Salvage in Washington DC. Experts from around the world attended this conference and the latest treatments and research were presented. The one thing that everyone agreed on in that conference was that educating the person with diabetes on preventative measures is far more valuable in preventing foot ulcers and possible amputation than any other method.
One case study that was presented really stuck out in my mind. A woman living with diabetes had over a number of years, struggled to keep her blood sugars regulated. She developed diabetic neuropathy as a result. One day while she was walking in her house without shoes or slippers, she accidentally stepped on a thumb tack. When she finally discovered it (remember, she had no feeling in her feet), her foot was already starting to become red. She tried to treat it on her own at home. After a few days of home treatment, she finally went to see her doctor. Her foot had developed a full blown infection which the doctors tried to treat aggressively but despite their best efforts, the woman eventually had to have her foot amputated.
All this started from a thumb tack!
If only the woman would have followed a daily foot care regimen, wore shoes or slippers and went to her doctor sooner, this tragic result would not have taken place. Educating the person with diabetes in footcare is extremely important. All people living with diabetes should be given comprehensive instructions on examining their feet on a daily basis.
There is an old saying……
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
When it comes to diabetes foot education, these words of wisdom never ring more true.
