The American Diabetes Association’s position statement that provides evidence-based practice recommendations for diabetes care, is contained in the recently revised Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes.  You can read more about the summary of revisions from Diabetes Care.

The section change pertaining to foot care states:

To better target those at high risk for foot complications, the Standards emphasize that all patients with insensate feet, foot deformities, or a history of foot ulcers have their feet examined at every visit.

Diabetics who have loss of feeling in the feet, have deformities like bunions and hammertoes, or have had a foot wound in the past must have their feet checked at every medical visit.  This will help prevent infections and foot ulcers which is the leading cause of hospitalization among people with diabetes.  With additional effort to monitor diabetics who are most at risk, the rate of severe complications like amputations can be reduced.

Regular care from a podiatrist can help reduce amputation rates up to 85%, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association.  If you are in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama area and need a foot doctor as part of your diabetes health care team, please give our office a call.  Podiatrist, Dr. Rosemarie Caillier, will be happy to help take care of your feet.