Diabetes affects 21 million people in the US and 189 million people worldwide.
By the year 2025, the prevalence of diabetes is expected to rise by 72% to 324 million people globally.
60-70% of those with diabetes will develop peripheral neuropathy, or lose sensation in their feet.
Up to 25% of those with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer.
More than half of all foot ulcers (wounds) will become infected, requiring hospitalization and 1 in 5 will require an amputation.
Diabetes is attributed to up to 80% of the 120,000 non-traumatic amputations performed yearly in the United States.
Every 30 seconds, somewhere in the world, a limb is lost as a consequence of diabetes.
Every 24 hours 230 amputations are performed in US.
After a major amputation, 50% of patient will have their other limb amputated within 2 years.
The relative 5-year mortality rate after limb amputation is at least 50%. When compared
with cancer – it is second only to lung cancer (86%). (Colorectal cancer 39%, Breast cancer
23%).
Limb amputations occur 10-30 times more often in diabetics than in the general population.
Annual costs for estimated 86,000 amputations is over $1.1 billion EXCLUSIVE of rehabilitation,
surgeon’s fees, prosthesis, loss of productivity, and resultant disability payments.
Average cost to treat a diabetic foot is approximately $45,000 per patient.
Only 55% of diabetics over 18 have an annual foot exam documented
With proper care, perhaps up to 50% of amputations in diabetics may be avoided
As seen above a yearly foot exam in your podiatrist’s office can save your foot, limb and/or life. A podiatric foot exam is painless and consists of the following components:
Observation of Skin: Looking for any areas of redness, warmth, dryness, fissuring and/or swelling.
Observation of Nails: Looking for ingrowing and/or deformed nails.
Observation of Foot Structure and Deformities Present: Looking for bunion, hammertoe deformity, decreased and/or increased arch.
Observation of Sensation: Tested via Semmes Weinstein Monofilament to 5 locations on each foot.
Footwear assessment: Is the footwear appropriate? Is corrective footwear and/or inserts warranted?
Evaluation of circulation: Looking for decrease or absence of foot pulses, abnormal color and skin temperature changes. Evaluating history of numbness or weakness in the feet and legs, as well as new symptoms of leg pain.
Patient Education
In our offices we perform what is called a Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam (CDFE) which consists of the above components. The recommended frequency of the exam is based on the following risk factors…
Diabetic foot risk catagory 0...No loss of protective sensation (LOPS/neuropathy), no circulation problems (Peripheral Arterial Disease/PAD), no foot deformity. Follow-up diabetic foot exam once a year.
Diabetic foot risk catagory 1... LOPS/neuropathy and foot deformity. Follow-up diabetic foot exam every 3-6 months.
Diabetic foot risk catagory 2... LOPS/neuropathy and PAD. Follow-up diabetic foot exam every 2-3 months.
Diabetic foot risk catagory 3... History of ulcer and/or amputation. Follow-up diabetic foot exam every 1-2 months.
If you or someone you know has diabetes, please give one of Our Offices a call to schedule a Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam.