The Diabetic Foot - General Information

With numbers rising each year, diabetes affects approximately 18 million people in the United States. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is necessary for converting sugars, starches and other food into energy. There are two kinds of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children. It is a condition in which the body does not produce insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and affects approximately 90% of all known cases. In type 2 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin or the body ignores the insulin being produced and the cells cannot convert sugar into energy. When the body cannot convert sugars, glucose builds up in the blood instead of being used by the cells.

A common complication of diabetes is peripheral neuropathy. This is when there is a loss of sensation in the feet. When you have limited or no feeling in your feet you become very susceptible to cuts, scrapes, blisters or pressure ulcers occurring on your feet. The lack of protective sensation can result in minor injuries turning into major wounds that are susceptible to infection. If circulation is poor (as is often the case in diabetic feet), the wound may never heal without a major amount of treatment. Neuropathy can also cause deformities such as bunions, hammer toes and Charcot feet. Properly fitted and designed shoes may give you a better chance to avoid skin breakdown and accommodate deformities.

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