UFAI Diabetic Foot Conditions Articles Archive

Diabetes in the US is widespread. Over 30 million Americans (about 10% of the population) have it. Over 25% of Americans over the age of sixty-five have it. It’s the seventh leading cause of death in the US. And experts agree these statistics from the American Diabetes Association may actually underreport the prevalence of diabetes in the US. How does read more »

It’s December and we’re heading into winter. Daylight seems to slip away and nights become longer. The weather is cooling (even in California) and we see the change of seasons. Leaves fall from the trees, clothing stores trot out more sweaters, jackets and boots, and holiday lights crop up around the neighborhood. It’s a season marked with change. Your body read more »

What is Charcot Foot? Charcot foot, (officially known as “Neuropathic Arthropathy”) is a progressive degeneration of a weight bearing joint. It is often has bony destruction, bone resorption, and eventual deformity. It’s reported in 29% of diabetic patients who present with peripheral neuropathy and a loss in proprioception. The survival rates for diabetic amputations at 5 years are only 50%. read more »

Catching diabetic foot complications early will allow for proper intervention and prevention of ulcerations, infections, and limb loss. That is why routine exams with a foot and ankle specialist are so critical. At the first sign of diabetic foot pain, ulcers or other diabetic foot issues, get it checked out and do not wait for your next checkup. Otherwise, our read more »

What’s Charcot Foot? Charcot foot (also known as “Neuropathic Arthopathy“) is when your foot starts to “soften.” This happens because of a progressive degeneration of the weight bearing joints of the foot. This is the bones in the foot weakening. It occurs in people who have significant nerve damage (neuropathy), most often those who are diabetic. It has been reported read more »

During my residency training at a veteran’s hospital I met a diabetic patient who informed me that his diabetic father and grandfather both had their legs amputated due to complications from diabetes. The patient was terrified that someday he too would have his leg amputated. I reassured him that his feet were currently fairly healthy and that they would remain read more »

How do you tend to your feet? If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you know that your entire relationship to your body changes. Watching your diet, taking medication, and monitoring your blood sugar – these healthy habits should become a part of your new routine. It’s time to practice optimal diabetic foot care. With diabetes you need to pay special read more »

Diabetes can cause foot ulcers; if left untreated, doctors may decide to remove the affected area. Researchers at the National Physical Laboratory near London are developing a scanning device that can help doctors recognize problem...

Numbness, tingling of the toes or a burning sensation in the feet are collectively known as paresthesia. It can result from many causes, and its significance can vary from trivial to life-threatening. So how can you tell numbness, tingling, and burning that can be safely ignored from that which requires a doctor’s attention? Lack of sensation in the toes or read more »

Our Guide to Diabetic Foot Care As the heat settles in to Southern California, it’s important to stay alert about your diabetic foot/feet’s health. Patients with diabetes need to be especially aware of their feet. Swelling, dryness, cracking from wearing sandals and/or walking barefoot are common foot problems in the summer for people with diabetes. To be informed about how read more »