Diabetes and Foot Risk
Diabetes presents a serious risk of limb loss and amputation due to two major foot complications:
- Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage leading to sensation loss or chronic pain)
- Peripheral Arterial Disease (narrowed or blocked arteries reducing blood flow)
Even minor injuries can rapidly become serious and life-threatening to the limb, making foot complications the leading cause of hospital admission for people with diabetes.
Assessing and Preventing Complications
Health professionals advise everyone with diabetes to have an annual diabetic foot check-up. Daily foot inspection, immediate consultation with a podiatrist or GP for suspected problems, and strictly managing blood glucose levels are crucial for prevention. Never walk barefoot or attempt to treat simple issues like corns or ingrown toenails yourself, and always wear spacious, well-fitting footwear.
Charcot Neuroarthropathy
A lesser-known but destructive complication is Charcot neuroarthropathy (or Charcot joint). This condition involves the collapse of foot joints, often after a seemingly minor injury, causing severe deformity and instability. It is difficult to diagnose initially, sometimes mistaken for infection or gout, and results in a highly deformed foot with extreme risk of future ulceration.
Managing Foot Ulcers
Foot ulcers arise from either nerve damage (neuropathic) or poor blood supply (ischaemic). Neuropathic ulcers are typically painless wounds, often under the forefoot joints, caused by unremitting pressure and lack of sensation. These usually heal easily with effective pressure offloading (special footwear, orthotics, or casts) and regular surgical debridement to remove hard, non-viable tissue.
Ischaemic Ulcers and Expert Care
By contrast, ischaemic ulcers are caused by a lack of blood supply (Peripheral Arterial Disease). These are much harder to heal and require restoring blood flow, often in collaboration with your GP and a vascular surgeon.
Expert Diabetic Foot Care
Our Brisbane Podiatrists are highly experienced in diagnosing and treating all diabetic foot complications, offering a comprehensive assessment and a personalized foot care plan.