Diabetes Category

Osteomyelitis is a severe condition that is commonly referred to as “bone infection.” This condition mostly affects people suffering from diabetes and associated neuropathy. Patients may first present with a wound or ulcer. The wound may even be hidden under a corn or callous, so it is important never to neglect to debride these areas. A patient with neuropathy can’t feel the pain associated with the ulcer, but their concern usually arises due to redness, swelling, and drainage of fluids from the wound. If you suffer from neuropathy, it is vital to check your feet daily.

Recently, a patient visited my clinic with a non-healing ulcer. A report from their radiologist indicated that there was soft tissue swelling around the small toe “without” radiographic evidence of osteomyelitis. However, after reviewing the x-rays myself, I found a break in the cortices, or a punched-out appearance, in the lateral middle phalanx. This indicates a bone infection is present. This patient required amputation of the 5th digit, and they were given antibiotics to treat the remaining infection.

Common Symptoms of Bone Infection

How Will My Foot Doctor Treat Bone Infection?

If you have a persistent sore or wound on your foot, your physician may order diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause. These tests may include X-rays, blood work, or an MRI if a bone infection is suspected. In the event that an infection is identified, your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics to treat it.

Some severe cases will require surgery, and as explained in the example above, may even necessitate amputation.

Osteomyelitis can be serious for individuals with diabetes and other health concerns, but with appropriate care and treatment, it can be managed. If you have neuropathy and do not always sense pain or discomfort in your feet, you should regularly inspect your feet for sores or wounds and always maintain proper foot hygeine. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor any questions – we are here to assist you in understanding your health and feeling confident in your treatment.

Dr. Elizabeth Auger, Your Trusted Salt Lake City Podiatrist For Over 24 Years

Dr. Auger has been practicing podiatry in Utah for over two decades. Whether you are dealing with bunions, a diabetes-related foot issue, fasciitis, sprains, skin conditions, an ingrown toenail, or you are searching for the right custom orthotic, Dr. Auger is the experienced and compassionate medical professional you need.

Don’t let foot pain and discomfort impact your life any longer. Contact Dr. Elizabeth Auger, DPM, today for a same-day appointment in one of her three Salt Lake City locations.

If you have diabetes, you already know that you have to watch your diet with what feel’s like the eyes of a hawk. Eat the wrong thing and your blood sugar can spike. Don’t eat enough and your sugar can plummet. It can be tricky knowing how to maintain a healthy diet that helps you manage your diabetes. Throw in diabetic neuropathy and your diet can become even more difficult to suss out.

The good news is this: If you suffer with diabetic neuropathy, a low-carb diet could be exactly what you need to take the pain away. The main contributing factor to neuropathy is high blood sugar levels. By keeping your levels even, you are less likely to experience pain and tingling in your lower extremities.

Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

When people with diabetes also suffer with neuropathy, it can take different forms. The most common type is peripheral neuropathy. This affects nerves and presents with numbness, tingling or burning in the feet, legs and hands. In other word, people with this type of neuropathy feel it in the limbs.

How a Low-Carb Diet Can Help You

Let’s take a look at how a low-carb diet could potentially ease your neuropathy. The evidence, thus far, is limited to anecdotal reports but there is nothing wrong with you trying a low-carb diet to see if it works for you. The lack of scientific research shouldn’t stop you as a low-carb diet can be beneficial for almost all diabetics.

According to what is scientifically known, a low-carb diet helps to reduce blood sugar levels. Because peripheral neuropathy is linked to high levels of blood sugar, it stands to reason that lowering your carbs and, in turn, your blood sugar, can help alleviate or prevent neuropaty. Some people have claimed that following a low-carb diet reversed their neuropathy altogether. It’s not an option that is guaranteed to work, but it is an option that may be effective for you.

As with any other change that could impact your diabetes, please speak with your medical provider before changing your diet. While it is typically safe to adjust your carbohydrate intake on your own, it is always a best practice to consult your doctor first. You may also choose to speak with a medical care provider about their thoughts on a low-carb diet and its association with reducing the instance of peripheral neuropathy.

If you would like to discuss your diabetic foot and leg pain and possible treatment options, call our office to schedule an appointment today. Dr. Elizabeth Auger is accepting new patients and would be happy to help you understand your peripheral neuropathy and your options for reducing the discomfort you feel. Call our office today or browse our website for more information about our team and practice.

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Researchers in the United Kingdom have recently released a report that says increasing the provision of foot care services to those people with diabetes can be a key to reducing amputations. They also found that proper foot care can reduce the instance of ulcers in the same group of patients.

People have long known that issues with the feet can come with diabetes. Sadly, some of these people are forced to make the decision to have their foot or feet amputated due to diabetes-related problems. This particular study looked at data gathered over a 10-year period, from 2005 to 2015. What researchers found was that when people had ready access to foot care services, the number of amputations fell.

Ten foot care services were identified as being particularly important. These were:

• Annual patient education
• Education within the healthcare community
• Adequate staffing in the podiatry community
• Identification of in-patient diabetics and their foot checks
• A multi-disciplinary diabetic foot care team including an orthotist

These were just a few of the components the research team identified. Others included administrative support and an analysis of the base cause of amputations. The team pointed out that they discovered that only two of these components were funded between 2005 and 2007, while 9 or 10 were funded between 2009 and 2015.

At the end of the time period of study, amputations among diabetic patients had dropped to less than five per 10,000 patients from 35 per 10,000 patients just 10 years prior. While these statistics were taken from the United Kingdom, they are easily transferred to the United States where similar issues are faced.

The important thing to note is that amputations can be reduced. Having diabetes means taking proper care of your feet, and that starts at home. While medical professionals do need to have a deep understanding of and comprehensive plan for foot care among diabetic patients, home care can prevent many issues from arising. Aside from managing your diabetes, you can:

• Wash and thoroughly dry your feet everyday
• Check your feet everyday, looking for cracks or ulcers in the skin
• Take proper care of your toenails
• Wearing shoes at all times to prevent cuts to the feet
• Seeing a doctor as soon as you notice a problem

By paying close attention to your feet at home, you can help to prevent many of the issues that people with diabetes deal with. You can also help to prevent the need to make the stressful and overwhelming decision to have one or both feet amputated.

If you live in Salt Lake City and notice a problem with your feet, please reach out to Dr. Elizabeth Auger. Dr. Auger understands the special needs of diabetic patients and can help you develop an appropriate foot care plan. Call our office today to schedule your first appointment. We are happy to welcome you to our practice and promise to care for you with dignity and respect.

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Diabetes is a serious condition which can affect your whole body. Not only do you have to manage your blood sugar, but you must take special care to prevent damage to your feet. Diabetic patients who suffer cuts to the feet are at risk for infection which can lead, in the most severe cases, to amputation. Taking proper care of your feet is essential if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.

How Diabetes Affects the Feet

Diabetes doesn’t affect the feet directly. In other words, you are not in danger of losing your feet simply because you have been diagnosed as diabetic. This is a popular misconception. Instead, diabetes can cause nerve damage and a reduction in blood flow to the extremities. Because of these two issues, you are in danger of foot complications.

Nerve damage can make it difficult to know when you have a foreign object in your shoe. Your continued movement despite the foreign object could cause a blister. You may also find it easier to cut your foot without being aware that you have done so. Reduced blood flow means that it can be harder for an injury to your foot to heal or resist infection.

To avoid these issues with your feet, doctors recommend the following:

Inspect Your Feet

Take a close look at your feet every day. Look for cuts, swelling, redness and even nail problems. Use a magnifying glass to look closely at the bottom of your feet. Don’t forget to look in between your toes. Alert your doctors to any issues you notice.

Keep Your Feet Dry

Excessive moisture can encourage fungal growth which can lead to complications. Keep your feet as dry as possible at all times. Dry your feet by blotting or patting them when you get out of the shower, drying between your toes as well. Wear clean, dry socks, and be sure to change your socks every day. If you walk through water, remove your shoes and socks, dry your feet and replace your wet socks with dry ones. You may want to consider purchasing and wearing socks that have been designed specifically for patients with diabetes.

Moisturize

You will want to keep your feet moisturized to prevent drying, cracking and itching. When you are applying moisturizer, avoid the areas between your toes. This skin does not absorb lotion well and will leave your skin open to fungal infections.

Avoid Walking Barefoot

Again, because of nerve damage, you could step on something without realizing it and cut or puncture the bottom of your foot. Wear slippers or shoes at all times. Going barefoot may feel great on your skin, but it is a risk you don’t need to take.

Inspect Your Shoes

Always inspect your shoes before you put them on. As previously mentioned, a foreign object in your shoe may go unnoticed and cause serious problems. Tips your shoes over, shake them out and run your fingers along the inside. Remove any objects, no matter how small, from the insides of your shoes before you put them on. When you are diagnosed with diabetes in Salt Lake City, you are at an increased risk for foot problems. For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced podiatrist, reach out to Dr. Elizabeth Auger.