Orthopaedic Guide to Diabetic Foot Care

The statistics surrounding diabetes and diabetic related health issues are staggering. Diabetes is the cause of approximately 60,000 lower extremity amputations performed annually in the US.

According to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) many of these amputations are preventable with ongoing, thorough, and proper foot care. To help increase awareness about amputation prevention in diabetic patients, the AOFAS in conjunction with American Diabetes Month, November 2010 re-issued its patient education Guide to Diabetic Foot Care.

The AOFAS Guide to Diabetic Foot Care contains simple, easy to understand answers to basic questions about diabetic foot problems. It also includes a review of daily foot and shoe examination techniques, danger signs for infection, daily washing and foot care protocol, as well as proper shoe fitting advice. The guide is available in English and 20 other languages via the AOFAS website www.aofas.org.

Diabetic foot conditions cause more hospital admissions than any other aspect of the disease. According to AOFAS President Keith L. Wapner, MD, "Individuals with diabetes must be thorough about their foot care in order to prevent many of the serious foot complications associated with diabetes. Diabetic individuals should check their feet daily by inspecting all sides including the bottom; any changes in shape or color, sense of feeling/sensation, painful areas or skin integrity need to be evaluated by an orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon."

In addition to the guide, the AOFAS suggests the following daily foot care routine and infection prevention tips for individuals with diabetes:

• Examine your feet daily; look for signs of swelling, redness, blisters, or cuts in the skin.
• Monitor sensation; brush the foot with a feather or facial tissue to test its ability to feel light touch.
• Wash feet daily in lukewarm water, never hot.
• Dry thoroughly but gently between the toes.
• Trim toe nails straight across with a nail clipper.
• Choose good footwear with cushioned soles and uppers made of soft, breathable material such as leather, not plastic.
• Wear protective shoes, not sandals, to prevent any injuries to feet and toes.
• Never walk barefoot.
• Wear cotton or natural fiber socks; avoid socks or shoes that are too tight.
• Break in new shoes gradually.

The AOFAS Guide to Diabetic Foot Care can be found on the AOFAS website, www.aofas.org under Patient Education, Ailments and Conditions, Diabetic Foot. The site also features a surgeon referral service; making it easy for diabetic patients to find a local orthopaedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle care.

The AOFAS promotes quality, ethical and cost-effective patient care through education, research and training of orthopaedic surgeons and other health care providers. It creates public awareness for the prevention and treatment of foot and ankle disorders, provides leadership, and serves as a resource for government, industry and the national and international health care community.

AOFAS Guide to Diabetic Foot Care: www.aofas.org/userfiles/file/PDF/DiabeticFoottranslations/DiabeticFootCare_English.pdf