Diabetic Foot Clinic

One of the most dreaded complications of diabetes is gangrene of the foot and leg. Approximately 15% of all diabetic patients get foot and leg problems. This mean, more than one crore diabetic individuals are likely to suffer from foot and leg problems. It is important to realize that majority of these patients will be in the age group 35 to 45 years.

It is always better to prevent the diabetic foot wounds than to treat it. Indian as well as international statistics shows that 60% if the indoor admissions for the diabetic patients are for foot problems. Therefore preventive care is very important and essential.

Services Offered

• Routine foot examination using biothesiometer, foot mapping and vascular impedance is available for all patients who want their foot evaluated.
• Treatment for those already afflicted with "Diabetic foot" and various associated complications include the latest in medical and surgical treatment such as HBOT, tissue, oxygen evaluation, foot mapping, vascular impedance and advice on corrective footwear to prevent unequal pressure that may result in abrasions or ulcers.
• Education to all to develop good practices to prevent diabetes associated complications from occurring.

• What is Diabetic Foot?

  Diabetic foot is a disorder of the foot which occurs in diabetic who do not care for the feet or do not consider his foot as an organ. Some diabetics develops loss of sensation in the foot (peripheral neuropathy) Thus they do not perceive small injuries and in time such injuries flair up and can create abscess. Diabetics also suffer from decreased blood supply (peripheral vasculopathy) which may aggravate the already mentioned conditions.

• Who should undergo foot evaluation?
  All diabetic patients should undergo foot evaluation every year and as per the evaluation report should wear protective footwear.

• How this evaluation is done?

  Foot evaluation includes testing the function if the leg and checking the blood vessels. This involves using instruments called biothesiometer, foot mapping and vascular impedance, the tests include evaluation of there is any damage to the nerves of the feet.

• How frequently the evaluation is to be done?
  The frequency of evaluation depends on the level of damage to nerves and blood vessels as well as the existing complications. Usually it is done once a year but in some patients it needs to be done more frequently.
• What are the precautions to avoid diabetic foot problems?

  Following are the few simple tips for foot care.

  1. Wash your feet daily with warm water. Take care that water should not be very hot as it can result in burns.
  2. Dry feet properly with cotton cloth or towel especially the web spaces to avoid fungal infections.
  3. Cut/Trim your nails regularly.
  4. Never walk bare feet.
  5. Wear comfortable foot wear (with broad front end).
  6. Shop for your shoes in the evening, when size of the foot increases slightly.
  7. Wear cotton socks which should be changed daily.
  8. Last but not the least, see your feet daily. Watch for any callus, corns, ulcers, any discharge or smell. If there are any of these sign, contact your doctor on the same day. In any case stop walking on the infected sole immediately to prevent further spread of infection.