AP Medical Writer, Lauran Neergaard highlighted that diabetics that accidentally nick their foot while clipping their toenails, or have a blister caused by wearing shoes that fit improperly, can lead towards amputation. Even worse, nearly half of patients that lose a foot die within five years.
The numbers are frightening, however understanding them helps promote early diabetic foot care. Getting treatment of diabetic foot ulcers quickly can often prevent the condition from getting worse and eliminate the need for foot amputation.
Nearly 600,000 people with diabetes get foot ulcers. Ulcers are typically found on the bottom of the big toe or the ball of the foot. The sides of the foot are a common place for ulcers as well, which is mainly caused by wearing shoes that fit improperly. Poor blood circulation causes diabetic foot ulcers to take a long time to heal and can cost as much as $8,000 to treat. Don’t assume that just because you aren’t experiencing pain from a foot ulcer, that it is safe to put off seeing a doctor. Loss of sensation in the lower legs and feet, caused by neuropathy, makes it difficult to recognize foot wounds. Failing to have an ulcer checked by a podiatrist or your health care provider can result in a foot infection costing up to $17,000 for treatment or even worse, lead to toe or foot amputation. This is why its so important for diabetics to see a doctor immediately if you have a foot ulcer, regardless if its painful or not.
Advanced diabetic foot ulcer treatment involves using artificial skin to cover the wound. This helps with healing. The cost of this procedure is about $1,400 and it’s usually paid for by Medicare. The main thing to remember is that it’s important to keep pressure off the spot being treated and wear proper footwear.
Wearing diabetic shoes with orthotics and a walking cast ($100, although not typically not covered by Medicare) offer extra protection. Wearing shoes that fail to provide adequate support is a bad start. Something as simple as walking to the mailbox or to a local store can aggravate the injury again. This can ruin the treatment and delay healing even longer.
Diabetics undergo over 80,000 lower leg, toe and foot amputations each year. According to experts in limb salvage, if patients received the proper diabetic foot care, this number would be much lower. Be sure to schedule regular foot-care examinations. This will help detect new or impending foot problems early. Therapeutic or diabetic shoes with insoles that are designed to relieve pressure help prevent ulcers and have been known to reduce their development.
