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LIVING
Surgery: Depending on the damage,
you may need to have your foot
reshaped and the bones and joints
moved into their original place.
If this, alongside prolonged rest,
isn't successful, you may need an
amputation. However, Charcot foot
doesn't have to result in surgery or
amputation with regular checks and
early treatment.
www.diabetes.org.uk/charcot-foot
Diabetic foot ulcer
A diabetic foot ulcer is a slow-healing
open wound or sore. As with Charcot
foot, if you have numb feet from
peripheral neuropathy, you won't
necessarily know if you cut and
damage your foot, and you could be
unaware of a blister forming from
poorly fitting shoes, for example.
Because you may not feel any pain,
you may continue walking without
protecting the blister, which may get
worse and develop into an ulcer. Poor
circulation results in fewer infectionfighting
cells reaching the site,
meaning wounds take longer to heal,
which could cause gangrene and as a
result amputation.
If you think you may have a foot
ulcer, speak to your diabetes team
immediately. They will help you to
dress and protect the ulcer to avoid
infection while the skin heals.
Daily foot care
There are many ways you can look after your feet to prevent
complications. Diabetes UK has put together a list of
recommendations when looking after your feet:
Click the pic to download Diabetes
UK's brochure, 'Simple steps
to healthy feet when you have
diabetes' for more foot care tips.
The Solesee mirror
helps you see the
soles of your own feet.
Available from
Diabetes.org.uk/shop.
1 Check your feet every day for any changes. See a healthcare
professional straight away if you notice anything unusual.
2 If you've lost any feeling in your feet, be especially careful as you
may not know if you've hurt yourself.
3 Make sure your footwear fits. If your shoes or socks are too tight,
too loose or rub, then don't wear them.
4 Use moisturiser every day. Check with your healthcare team about
which emollient is right for you. Don't put cream between your toes,
as this can cause problems. The same for talcum powder - if it gets
clogged up between your toes, it could also cause excessive dryness.
5 Don't use blades or corn plasters as they could damage your skin.
If you need help with corns or other skin problems, speak to
a podiatrist.
Click the
pic to go
to the shop.