Protecting Diabetic Feet from Injury

One of the most basic facts of diabetes is that it causes major health problems. Most people know this includes elevated risk for heart attack, stroke, blindness, and kidney disease. Less commonly known—at least, by the general population—is how the disease affects feet, and why it’s so important to protect diabetic feet.

The heightened levels of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream has wide-ranging effects. For example, it damages nerve tissues and impairs the functionality of white blood cells – the ones your body uses to fight infections. In doing so, diabetes can cause major complications in your lower limbs. Nerve damage (neuropathy) and a compromised immune system play a significant role as to why protecting diabetic feet is so important.

There’s one more variable that is added to the mix – peripheral arterial disease (PAD). In this condition—one that can be caused and exacerbated by diabetes—blood vessels become constricted, which affects the blood’s ability to flow throughout the entire body. You may not have considered this before, but your feet are already the farthest points from the heart. That means it takes more effort for blood to reach the lower limbs, even without circulatory problems!

So how can you counteract these issues and keep feet safe when you have diabetes? Here are some measures you need to take:

• Wear shoes that fit correctly. No matter if your shoes are for physical activity or just ones you wear around town, they need to fit properly. Even better is to wear a pair of diabetic shoes that are intended for individuals who live with diabetes. Not sure what proper shoe fit entails, or what diabetic shoes are? Contact us and we’ll be glad to help!
• Wear diabetic socks. This is as important as wearing well-fitting shoes! Much like with your shoe choices, socks need to fit properly. Pairs that are too tight or too loose can cause problems. So can ones with unusual seams. Stick to diabetic socks that fit just right. As with shoes, come see us if you aren’t sure what this means.
• Avoid high-impact activities. Running and sports (like basketball and tennis) always come with a certain degree of injury risk. Whereas it’s great you are staying active to help manage the condition, opt for low-impact exercises like yoga, cycling, and walking. Even better are water-based activities like swimming and water aerobics.

The importance of protecting diabetic feet from injury is difficult to overstate. Smart choices with socks, shoes, and exercises are a great start for keeping your feet safe. Even better, though, is coming to Wilks Advanced Foot Care for a comprehensive diabetic foot care plan. Connect with our Roseburg, OR office online or give us a call at (541) 673-0742 and request an appointment today!