A PODIATRIST'S ROLE IN SAVING LIMBS FROM DIABETES
When diabetic patients have trouble with circulation, it’s a podiatrist who plays an important role in making sure legs and feet are in pristine condition without further complications that lead to amputation.
When you or someone you know has diabetes, it’s important you have a trusted podiatrist and podiatry clinic on your list of places you visit on a regular basis. Your podiatrist will ensure your body is correctly circulating your blood flow to all areas of your legs and feet.
WHAT IS A PODIATRIST’S ROLE?
Unfortunately, most diabetic patients experience a range of skin and foot problems related to Peripheral Arterial Disease and diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage that occurs from years of high blood sugar.
Sadly, even the smallest skin cut can cause an ulcer that doesn’t heal correctly. Non-healing ulcers can quickly turn into a large problem you don’t want to leave alone. Instead, visit your podiatry clinic the minute you notice anything abnormal or your cut to healing.
A podiatrist is knowledgeable in the biomechanics of legs and feet. This is the benefit of regularly visiting your local podiatrist for check-ups, as they will be able to predict the risk of diabetic ulcers on the foot or ankle before they erupt.
Most foot and ankle specialists will use put together an effective treatment plan, pain management plan, and use a health care team to help implement and follow strategies. These plans include:
proactive monitoring
conservative treatment like ulcer assessment
infection management
ulcer debridement
callus care
bracing
shoe or inserts as needed
PREVENTION STRATEGIES
In more advanced cases, foot surgery may be recommended to remove ulcers, rebalance tendons, and reconstruct the foot and/or ankle. Along with a recurrence prevention plan, a podiatrist can help eliminate the need for amputation.
Amputation is not something a podiatrist wants to do for a patient. Any preventative strategies that are a better option, will be recommended. Amputation is the last resort. Successful treatments of wounds have led to cases where patients see results they didn’t think were fixable. It’s important to contact your local podiatry clinic and find a podiatrist you feel comfortable with if you have diabetes. They can help save parts of your body you didn’t know were in jeopardy.
Dr. Han of River Podiatry provides exceptional care in diabetic limb salvage, and wound care. He is licensed to practice in New York and New Jersey and is affiliated with Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, NY where he is part of the highly skilled Wound and Hyperbaric team. Dr. Han is also affiliated with Ramapo Valley Surgical Center in Mahwah, NJ.
At River Podiatry we provide individualized, comprehensive, evaluation and treatment of patients with podiatric issues. The practice specializes in foot surgery and the treatment of foot pain. Expect the best possible care utilizing the most modern techniques.
