Diabetes Awareness Month
- Foot & Ankle Center
- Nov 14, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 4
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. The Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa would like to share essential tips for caring for your feet and ankles if you have diabetes.
Daily Foot and Ankle Care
Inspect Your Feet Daily: Check your feet and ankles every day, paying special attention to the bottoms. If you can't see the bottoms, use a mirror or ask someone for assistance. Look for any changes in skin, calluses, lesions, or ulcers. If you notice anything unusual, contact your foot doctor immediately!
Schedule Regular Foot Checks: Make appointments for diabetic foot checks with your foot and ankle doctor. Discuss the frequency of these checks during your visit, as it may vary based on your individual needs.
Comprehensive Examination: During your appointment, your foot and ankle doctor will examine your feet and ankles for vascular, neurological, muscular, deformity, and skin conditions. They will discuss their findings with you and may refer you for further testing if necessary.
Monitoring Foot and Ankle Ulcers
If you develop a diabetic foot or ankle ulcer, monitor it daily for signs of infection, as diabetes increases the risk. Ensure you attend all scheduled appointments with your foot doctor to effectively manage the ulcer.
Additional Foot Care Tips
Apply moisturizer to your feet, ankles, and legs every day: This not only promotes skin health but is also a good time to perform your daily foot checks. Avoid moisturizing between the toes, especially in winter, to prevent cracking and complications.
Wear Proper Footwear: Always wear motion control shoes and avoid going barefoot. Diabetes can lead to peripheral neuropathy, which may result in loss of feeling in your feet and ankles. This increases the risk of injuries, including ulcers and foreign objects, especially when barefoot.
Image source: altrarunning.com
Contact the Foot & Ankle Cenpointment for your foot and ankle concerns or for a diabetic foot and ankle examination!
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