According to self-reported statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2018 National Health Survey, an estimated 1.2 million people from Australia (4.9 per cent of the entire population) suffered from diabetes in 2017–18. According to the ABS 2012 Survey, which comprises both self-reported and measured data, one out of every four persons with diabetes in Australia is undiagnosed.
Diabetes claims a leg every 20 seconds. Diabetes increases your chances of experiencing foot problems and complications. This is usually caused by nerve damage in the feet and toes, known as neuropathy. Here is where the medical branch of podiatry in Sydney can come in handy. Podiatrists are doctors who specialise in feet and who can advise you on protecting and caring for your foot.
Podiatrists are specially trained to examine nerve damage in your feet, identify specific foot health problems, and assist you in developing a treatment and preventive strategy. Diabetes can affect your feet in various ways, and podiatrists can assist you in addressing those difficulties. If you have diabetes, you may encounter a variety of foot problems, including:
Neural Damage
You could have neuropathy (nerve damage), which causes pain and numbness in your feet. In due course, this can lead to more serious issues, such as losing feeling in your feet and toes. When this occurs, an injury such as a cut may go undiscovered.
Feet Ulcers
A foot ulcer is a wound on the foot and toes. A section of the foot’s tissue deteriorates, resulting in an open wound. These ulcers can become infected and develop in size. Treatment is time-consuming and costly. They may necessitate amputation if not adequately treated or cared for.
Charcot Feet
When you have nerve damage in your feet, the bones in your feet can deteriorate. When these bones deteriorate, they might shatter, resulting in foot abnormalities.
Amputations
When a foot ulcer or wound develops, it is not always possible to restore the damage. When this happens, you may have to get your leg amputated.
When you make an appointment with a podiatrist, bring information about your medical history and a list of questions or concerns. You should talk to your doctor about the following issues:
Neuropathy
If you are experiencing neuropathy symptoms, request a monofilament test or thorough testing for nerve damage. This will assist you in understanding if you have nerve damage, what you need to do to prevent it from spreading, and the challenges that come with it.
Foot Exams
Your podiatrist can teach you how to perform a home foot inspection as well as what to watch out for.
Monitoring Temperature
Temperature monitoring has been shown in studies to reduce foot ulcers and amputations by up to 87 per cent. Consult your doctor about including continuous temperature monitoring with Siren Diabetic Socks into your treatment strategy. The advantage of Siren Diabetic Socks is that they not only provide physical protection for your feet but also warn you of the first signs of an accident via a connected app.
Maintaining Healthy Feet
Discuss with your podiatrist what you can do every day to safeguard your feet.
Doctors specialising in podiatry in Sydney will do a diabetic foot assessment, which includes a series of non-invasive neurological or vascular tests to evaluate the existence of any risk factors. They will also educate you on self-care for your feet and give ongoing skin and nail care as needed.
