Wound Care Center & Hyperbaric Medicine
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The Diabetes Connection
Approximately 40% of the patients who come to the Wound Care Center are diabetic. A portion of our nurses' time is spent with these patients in the diabetic foot program, to educate diabetics on how to care for their feet.
One of the most common complications of diabetes is neuropathy, or nerve damage. It develops gradually, usually in the feet, and results in numbness -- a diabetes warning sign -- and the loss of the protective sensation that signals pain in the body's extremities, especially the legs and feet.
If untreated, a minor injury like a small cut can become a serious wound resulting in chronic infection, gangrene and even amputation. A chronic wound can have a terrible impact on the person's quality of life, limiting his or her mobility and social activity. Despite the best efforts of their physicians, millions of people with diabetes live with chronic wounds for months and even years.
With diabetes education and testing, warning signs that might otherwise be missed or explained away can be detected to improve the patient's condition. The results, according to the American Diabetes Association, is that the 56,200 Americans who annually experience diabetes-related amputations could be reduced in number by 50%.
Amputation Prevention
- An estimated 2.4 million people with diabetes will develop foot or leg ulcers.
- Every year, an estimated 56,200 patients with diabetes have amputations as a result of complications from diabetes.
- Patients with diabetes have a 15-40 times greater risk of a leg amputation than the general population.
- The American Diabetes Association estimates that diabetes-related amputation could be reduced by 50 percent if patients were routinely tested for neuropathy, educated to prevent injury or complications, and fitted with appropriate footwear as needed.
Foot Care for Wound Prevention
People with diabetes or other circulation problems are encouraged to use the following foot care tips:
- Never go barefoot either indoors or outdoors.
- If your feet become excessively dry, lubricate them with a thin film of moisturizing cream on the soles immediately after bathing.
- Avoid exposing feet to extremes. Never walk on hot sand or pavement. Protect feet from sunburn with sunscreen. Check bath water with elbow before entering; it should not be too hot. Do not use hot water bottles or a heating pad to warm cold feet; instead wear loose socks in bed if feet are cold. Never use hot or cold soaks for your feet.
- Nails should be trimmed straight across; gently round corners with a fine emery board or pumice stone.
- Corns or calluses should not be cut; consult a physician or podiatrist for this type of care. Do not use commercial corn or callous removers, foot pads or arch supports.
- Proper footwear is recommended. Only comfortable well-fitting shoes should be worn. Do not choose shoes with open toes or heels, and do not wear sandals.
- Purchase shoes late in the day when feet are slightly enlarged to assure they will fit comfortably at any time. New shoes should never be worn more than two hours at one time.
- Do not wear shoes without socks or stockings. Socks or stockings with seams should be avoided. Cotton and cotton blends are recommended. Socks should be clean and changed daily.
- Do not use garters or elastics to hold up stockings, and do not use panty girdles that are tight around the legs.
603-433-6994
Find a Physician
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Cameron Eilts, DPM
Sports Medicine Atlantic Orthopedics, PA
150 US-1 Bypass
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Maps & Directions -
Galeb M. Karouni, MD
Hospitalists - Portsmouth Regional Hospital
333 Borthwick Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 3801
Maps & Directions -
Photo Not Available
John P. Rinard, DO
Hospitalists - Portsmouth Regional Hospital
Portsmouth Regional Hospital
333 Borthwick Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 3801
Maps & Directions -
Peter J. Sebeny, MD, MPH
Appledore Medical Group - Infectious Disease
330 Borthwick Avenue
Suite 200
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Maps & Directions -
Photo Not Available
Sunita Sharma, MD
Hospitalists - Portsmouth Regional Hospital
333 Borthwick Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 3801
Maps & Directions
Locations
-
Hospitalists - Portsmouth Regional Hospital
Directions
Portsmouth Regional Hospital
333 Borthwick Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 3801 -
Appledore Medical Group - Infectious Disease
Directions
330 Borthwick Avenue
Suite 200
Portsmouth, NH 03801
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