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Islets of Hope complications of diabetes | ||||
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By Lahle Wolfe Sources American Diabetes Association (ADA) Blue Cross of Idaho Medscape Diabetes Care, November 2004; 27:2636-2641 Medical Assistance Resources Financial Assistance for Prostheses and Other Assistive Devices (Copyright © ACA/NLLIC) – Information about who might be eligible for financial assistance and a list of organizations that can provide assistance with prosthetic devices. Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program – A program under Medicare offering free foot-care for diabetics. The coverage includes a specialized shoe program to help prevent complications for people with diabetes and those with foot problems. Under the program patients are entitled to (annually) one pair of customized shoes, two sets of inserts, and a fitting by a podiatrist or shoe specialist. Patients can order molded or a depth shoe. Visit our Heath Insurance page to find out what your state laws require health insurance to cover for diabetes care, a list of assistance programs, and Medicare information. Organizations Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention (LEAP) Program, DPSP, BPHC National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, NIDDK, NIH, HHS National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, HHS American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists National Amputation Foundation Resources and Information about Amputation Amputation Fact Sheet - This fact sheet discusses the common sources of amputation in the workplace, steps employers can take to prevent them and the OSHA standards that cover amputation hazards. Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes – Information about the causes, symptoms, and significant types of neuropathy. Includes information about diagnosis and treatment, and the findings of the Diabetic Control and Complication Trial (DCCT) in relation to neuropathy. Diabetic Retinopathy: What you should know - A pamphlet for people with diabetic retinopathy describing the cause, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Feet Can Last a Lifetime - A Health Care Provider's Guide to Preventing Diabetes Foot Problems - This (.pdf file) comprehensive kit for health care providers contains ready-to-use foot exam forms, Medicare certification forms for therapeutic footwear, a sample disposable sensory testing monofilament, reproducible patient education materials, and current resource and reference materials. Prevent Diabetes Problems: Keep Your Eyes Healthy - Presents eye problems caused by diabetes and what you can do each to stay healthy and prevent diabetes complications. Take Care of Your Feet For a Lifetime - A Guide for People with Diabetes – Discussions complications of diabetes including loss of feeling, changes in foot shape, ulcerations of the feet, and wounds that don’t heal. Limb Loss FAQ's (Copyright © ACA/NLLIC) - Contains information about caring for, and reducing the risk of, amputations. Also list of commonly used terms when discussing amputation.
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Amputation Mini Site Index Related information: diabetic neuropathy, hyperglycemia, foot care tips Taking Care of Your Feet If you have diabetes you need to pay special attention to your feet. Certain complications with diabetes may cause loss of sensation from nerve damage (neuropathy) and circulation throughout the body, including the feet. Reduced sensation can interfere with the body’s injury warning system: pain. Even small cuts, blisters, and abrasions can go unnoticed (because they don't hurt) and can become infected due to poor circulation. Diabetics in general, have a tendency towards easier infection, and infections with diabetes are slower and harder to overcome – especially when blood glucose is not under tight control. Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) reduce the body's ability to fight infection normally. Keeping your blood glucose in range will not only help prevent damage and infection, but will help your body overcome an infection. Infections can ulcerate, fail to respond to treatment, and eventually all, or a portion of the foot, may need to be surgically removed (amputated). If the infection persists even after amputation, it may even be necessary to remove part of the leg from below the knee in order to halt the deadly progression, which unaddressed, can lead to death. (Diabetes Care, November 2004;27:2636-2641) reported alarming statistics for the rate of amputation among the diabetic population in Barbados. However, from the data, we are reminded that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. For example, the study indicated that simply not wearing shoes tripled the risk of diabetes-related, lower-extremity amputation among Barbados residents and risk of amputation was quadrupled in the same population for those wearing “fashion” footwear, as well as for female walkers wearing sneakers into town. It would seem obvious that good footwear plays an important role in preventing foot ulcerations which can lead to further complications including amputation. Other risk factors for amputation (indicated in the report) include the following:
For those who examined their feet daily, a remarkable 80% risk reduction was reported. Diabetes-Related Amputation Statistics
A predictor of those who undergo surgery (partial amputation) and will not require further amputation is how well blood glucose is controlled prior to surgery. Those with A1c levels at 7 or below stand a far greater chance for successful outcome. Post surgery target-range blood glucose levels are critical to avoid further amputation. How Problems Can Occur Chronic high blood glucose levels can restrict blood flow and diminish circulation to the lower limbs, especially the feet. The problem is worse for older a persons and those who have had diabetes longer periods of time (true for both type 1 or type 2 diabetes). Perhaps one of the most important prediction variables, and one that can be avoided with proper daily attention to blood glucose levels, is whether or not the person has been managing their diabetes effectively. Poor circulation makes it harder to treat infections and ulcers, made harder still when blood glucose levels are high. Neuropathy, (damage to nerves) can make it hard to detect problems early due to diminished, or even the total loss of sensation. Persons with neuropathy can lose all feeling in an area and suffer severe damage to tissue and never even feel it. (One physician stated “neuropathy can leave feet and lower legs so numb patients could walk around with a nail under their foot for a day and not realize it." Early detection and treatment is crucial to saving limbs but unfortunately, by the time most patients seek treatment there is already gangrenous tissue surrounding ulcerations and the limb cannot be saved. Amputation Procedures and Rate of Success Below-the-knee surgical amputation of the damaged leg used to be standard procedure. In the past ten years a new procedure called transmetatarsal amputation (TMA) is more commonly performed. In this procedure only part of the front of the foot is removed. TMA is not successful in all patients and further, more aggressive amputation (below the knee) is still required. In the United States, many doctors are still inclined to perform the older, more invasive surgery. If you are facing amputation, be sure to ask if you are a candidate for TMA. Studies show that success depends, in large part, on the following:
Preventive Care for Diabetes Foot-Related Complications Since most problems for diabetics begin with small sores on the skin like scrapes and blisters it is important to visually inspect your feet every single day. Other steps you can take to ensure healthy feet include lifestyle changes and observation:
The most frequent reason for hospitalization in persons with diabetes is due to problems with their feet. But many of these problems, including amputation and hospitalization, could be prevented through simple preventive foot care. Depression The rate of depression among diabetics with ulcerations parallels that of those who have already undergone amputation. Part of the reason may be that ulceration often is an impending sign of the need for amputation. Counseling for both those with ulcerations showing signs of depression, and for those having undergone amputation is often advised.
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