Foot Focus

Foot health is a lot more important than you might think. Just off the heels of International Podiatry Day (October 8), here are two things you can do to prioritize your foot health, according to one of our Foot & Ankle experts.

#1 Pay attention to your feet

While we know that our feet serve the important function of supporting our bodies and mobility, what many people do not realize is that our feet offer early warning signs for a range of ailments affecting our bodies, explains Dr. Jennifer Lee, a wound care specialist with over 18 years of experience treating all conditions of the foot and ankle.

For example, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a serious vascular disease that can present with skin discoloration, wounds, ulcers, and pain in the feet and toes. Giving your feet a daily once-over can, therefore, go a long way in preventing possible complications down the line.

“This is particularly important for people with diabetes because the condition affects the normal healing process, making it hard for wounds to heal,” says Dr. Lee.

Diabetes can also cause neuropathy (nerve damage), which makes the feet less sensitive to pain. Of course, this means that wounds and ulcers that would normally be painful can easily get overlooked. If left untreated, these wounds and ulcers can lead to serious complications like gangrene, and even limb loss.

“Simply setting aside just a few minutes a day to check your feet can, for some people, be the difference between early detection and treatment, and potential amputation,” says Dr. Lee.

“Aim to make quick, self-foot checks a daily habit just as you do with brushing your teeth!”

#2 Don’t ignore what you find on your feet

Paying more attention to your feet is helpful in catching conditions and infections early on. But, acting on those discoveries is just as important.

Even common conditions like bunions should not be brushed aside, says Dr. Lee. Failing to take the necessary steps to treat that bunion can lead to problems like pain and difficulty walking. So, spotting that bony lump on your toe joint and consulting a podiatrist about it is key to maintaining your quality of life.

She says that for high-risk diabetic patients, even bunions and ingrown toenails can become dangerous if they are not treated promptly, and properly.

“In fact, for many people with chronic conditions, consulting a podiatrist early on can make all the difference when it comes to preventing amputation.”

Regardless of whether you have a chronic condition or not, Dr. Lee recommends a visit to the podiatrist if you notice any abnormalities or changes in your feet and toes, including:

• Bony lump on the big toe joint
• Cold feet or toes
• Numbness or tingling
• Pain during movement or while at rest
• Skin discoloration
• Sores that will not heal
• Swelling
• Toenail discoloration
• Thickening of toenails
• Ulcers and wounds

Get your feet checked today

To learn more or to schedule an appointment with one of our Foot & Ankle specialists, call 1-833-438-8763 or visit upmedical.com.

Tell us!

Do you know anyone whose limb was saved thanks to early podiatric treatment? Please share with us in the comments.