Diabetes harms blood vessels and nerves. As a result of this 1. Take care of your diabetes. Work with your health care team to keep your blood sugar …
FOOTCARE: FOR PATIENTS WITH DIABETES - - - simple steps can save feet
By Steve Helgerson, MD MPH Reprinted from Consumer News, Winter 2001/2002 Diabetes harms blood vessels and nerves As a result of this persons with diabetes are at high risk for foot problems that can lead to hospitalization, and amputation of feet and legs ESRD patients with diabetes are at especially high risk for foot disease and amputations Investigators using Medicare data found that the lower extremity amputation rate among persons with renal failure and diabetes is TEN TIMES as high as for persons with diabetes but not renal failure1 Taking some simple steps2 can protect your feet and prevent amputations 1 Take care of your diabetes Work with your health care team to keep your blood sugar within a good range 2 Check your feet every day Look at your bare feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling Use a mirror to check the bottoms of your feet or ask a family member for help if you have trouble seeing 3 Wash your feet every day Wash your feet in warm, not hot, water every day Dry your feet well Be sure to dry between the toes 4 Keep the skin soft and smooth Rub a thin coat of skin lotion
over the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes 5 If you can see and reach your toenails, trim them each week or when needed If not, seek help Trim your toenails straight across and file the edges with an emery board or nail file 6 Wear shoes and socks at all times Never walk barefoot Wear comfort 
able shoes that fit well and protect your feet Feel inside your shoes before putting them on each time to make sure the lining is smooth and there are no objects inside 7 8 Protect your feet from hot and cold Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement Wear socks at night if your feet get cold Dont test bath water with your feet Dont use hot water bottles or heating pads Keep the blood flowing to your feet Put your feet up when sitting Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down for 5 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day Dont cross your legs for long periods of time Dont smoke 9 Be more active Plan your physical activity program with your doctor 10 Check with your doctor Have your doctor check your bare feet to find out whether you are likely to have serious foot problems Remember that you may not feel the pain of an injury Call your doctor right away if you
find a cut, sore, blister, or bruise on your foot that does not begin to heal after one day Follow your doctors advice about foot care 11 Get started now Begin taking good care of your feet today Set a time every day to check your feet
Take care of your feet And, ask your doctor or dialysis nurses to check your feet regularly at each dialysis session Many amputations are preventable
1
Eggers PW, Gohdes D, Pugh J Non traumatic lower extremity amputations in the Medicare end-stage renal disease population Kidney International 1999; 56: 1524-1533 2 Adapted from the National Institutes of Health NIH Feet can last a lifetime material
