PODIATRIST STATES THAQT DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS DON'T HAVE TO BE INEVITABLE

posted: Nov. 27, 2017.

 

 

 

 

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. It’s estimated that 16,000,000 people have it—that includes both Type 1 and Type 2. Go inside Dr. Frank Davis' office, and you'll see a prosthetic. It's a reminder to patients at the VA what can happen if they don't take control of their diabetes. Most of the veterans you see with amputated toes, feet, and legs ended up that way because of diabetes. “[they] go through life and think nothing is wrong. ‘I don't hurt so nothing is wrong.’ And they literally wear holes in the bottom of their feet.” says Dr. Davis.

 

Dr. Frank Davis

 

 

Dr. Davis says 45% of veterans diagnosed with foot ulcers die within 5 years. To keep the infections at bay, Dr. Davis uses an Amfit Scanner to identify pressure points, uneven walking, and other measurements to design an orthotic unique to the patient. Once designed with the help of a computer, veterans can receive the shoe insert in about a month. More comfort, uniform pressure and better gait are often the result, not to mention that diabetic foot ulcers don’t have to be inevitable.

 

Source: Terri Russell, KOLO-TV (ABC) [11/9/17]

 

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News.  

 

Brought to you by Doctor John A. Hardy, owner of Toronto's Foot Clinic, Academy Foot and Orthotic Clinics.