Diabetic Foot Problems

For people with diabetes, proper foot care is an important part of the daily routine. After all, high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the legs and feet. This can lead to nerve damage, which can make it difficult to feel injuries, poor circulation, infections, or foot deformities.

That's why diabetes is so often associated with foot problems and amputation. Not including those caused by accidents or trauma, more than 60% of lower-limb amputations performed each year are in people with diabetes. That's about 82,000 amputations annually. In addition, certain populations experience an even greater threat of lower-limb amputations -- Mexican Americans, African Americans and American Indians are at increased risk -- and men are at greater risk than women.¹

The good news? Studies suggest that comprehensive foot care efforts can reduce your risk of amputation up to 85%.¹

What to Look For

The American Diabetes Association recommends that your feet be examined at least once a year, and more often if you have foot problems.² But if you have any of the following, talk to your doctor right away:³

pain or less sensitivity in the leg or foot
cuts or breaks in the skin
an ingrown nail
changes in color or shape of foot
corns or calluses (your healthcare provider can trim them, as well as your toenails, if you cannot do so safely)

Healthy Diabetic Foot Care Habits

By keeping your blood sugar within the range recommended by your healthcare team and paying special attention to your feet every day, you may be able to prevent long-term complications.

For healthy toes and feet, these simple steps can't be beat:⁴

Check your feet regularly.
Wear comfortable shoes that fit.
Wash your feet daily with soap and lukewarm water.
Trim your toenails straight across and not too short.

¹ American Diabetes Association. "Complications of Diabetes in the United States." Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/complications.jsp. Accessed February 20, 2008.
² American Diabetes Association. "Foot Care." Available at: http://diabetes.org/for-parents-and-kids/what-is-diabetes/foot-care.jsp. Accessed February 20, 2008.
³ National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. "Prevent Diabetes Problems: Keep Your Feet and Skin Healthy." Available at: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_feet/. Accessed February 20, 2008.
⁴ MedlinePlus. "Foot Health." Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/foothealth.html. Accessed February 20, 2008.

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Last modified: October 08, 2008