March 29, 2016

Step Into Good Foot Health

According to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, the average person takes 10,000 steps each day, which adds up to more than three million steps per year. April is national recognized as Foot Health Awareness Month, and is a great opportunity to highlight the importance of foot health.

People with diabetes should be especially concerned with the health of their feet. An estimated 29.1 million people (9.3 percent of the population) have diabetes, and nearly 28 percent are undiagnosed. Diabetes can cause nerve damage for some people. When this happens, the nerves no longer perceive pain due to numbness and therefore do not alert a person to potential injury.

For people living with diabetes, a poor defense against infection and damage to blood circulation can complicate problems with the feet causing them to become more vulnerable to injury.

The Wound Care Center at Harrington recommends the following for proper foot care if you’re living with diabetes:

• Check your feet for sores or other injuries every day. You may have an injury, but cannot feel the pain.
• Wash your feet every day and dry them with care, especially between the toes.
• Trim your toenails as needed after you’ve washed and dried your feet.
• Wear properly fitting shoes that do not rub or pinch your feet.
• Always wear socks or stockings with your shoes, and never walk barefoot or while wearing just socks.
• Physical activity can help increase circulation in your feet. Consult your healthcare team to see which physical activity is right for you.

For more information about proper foot care, diabetic foot ulcers or how we may be able to help avoid amputation, talk to your primary care provider or a podiatrist.
Georgios Poniros, DPM, works at The Wound Care Center at Harrington, as well as Auburn Podiatry. He is board certified and received his medical degree from New York College of Podiatric Medicine.