Diabetic Foot Disorders
Comprehensive diabetic foot care and ulcer prevention to reduce amputation risk
Amputation Prevention
Diabetes significantly increases the risk of foot ulceration and amputation. Expert care and prevention strategies can dramatically reduce these risks.
DR LUBOMYR LEMECH
MBBS (Hons), FRACS (Vascular), DDU (Vascular)
Key Services:
- Comprehensive diabetic foot assessment
- Ulcer treatment and wound care
- Vascular reconstruction surgery
- Prevention education and monitoring
Understanding Diabetic Foot Complications
People with diabetes are prone to ulceration of the feet. This is due to multiple effects that diabetes has on the body, creating a complex web of complications that significantly increase foot injury risk.
At least 50% of leg amputations are associated with diabetes, and 85% of leg amputations in diabetics are preceded by a foot ulcer. Early intervention and proper foot care can prevent these devastating outcomes.
Diabetic Foot Risk Factors
Critical Statistics
Understanding the serious impact of diabetic foot complications
of leg amputations
are associated with diabetes
of diabetic amputations
are preceded by a foot ulcer
How Diabetes Affects Your Feet
Diabetes has multiple effects on the body that specifically increase foot injury risk
Nerve Damage
Diabetes damages the peripheral nerves – causing loss of sensation and inability to detect painful stimuli. It also damages nerves to sweat glands, leading to dry skin which is prone to cracking and ulceration.
Blood Vessel Damage
Diabetes damages the blood vessels – which reduces the blood supply to the foot, making it more difficult for wounds to heal.
Reduced Immunity
Diabetes interferes with the body's ability to fight infections, increasing the risk and severity of wound infection.
Foot Deformity
Diabetes causes deformity of the feet for multiple reasons, which can lead to points of high pressure on the foot which in turn can lead to callus, skin breakdown and ulceration.
Assessment & Investigations
Patients with diabetes and ulceration are initially assessed with a history and examination, and may need investigations such as:
X-rays
Ultrasounds
CT Scans
MRI Scans
Nuclear Medicine
Catheter Angiography
Prevention Through Daily Foot Care
Ulceration can be prevented by regular foot care
Daily Inspection
Daily inspection of the feet
Washing & Drying
Thorough washing and drying of the feet daily
Moisturizing
Moisturize the feet daily
Shoe Inspection
Inspection of shoes daily for foreign objects eg stones
Proper Footwear
Wearing good fitting comfortable enclosed footwear both indoors and outdoors
Professional Care
Regular review of the feet by a podiatrist
Prevention Saves Lives
Daily foot care can prevent 85% of diabetic amputations
Expert Diabetic Foot Care
Dr Lemech provides comprehensive diabetic foot assessment and treatment to prevent ulceration and amputation. Early intervention and proper care can save your limbs and your life.