What is Diabetic Foot and Problems in India

SUMMARY

• Limb ischemia affects a large number of Indian diabetic patients
• A revascularization procedure can save your leg! Functional limb salvage should be attempted
in nearly all patients.
• The advances in technology has got minimally invasive endovascular procedures at par with surgery,
even in high risk patients.
• Mid- and long-term costs of amputation are much higher than vascular reconstruction. Costs and
complications are lower and results better if referred earlier

Take care of your feet.

 

MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM IN INDIA

15% of Diabetics would develop foot ulcer in their life time.
Diabetic population 30 million
Foot complications in diabetic patients 40%
Compromised blood circulation 6%–16%
Neuropathy 30%–50%

DIABETIC FOOT problemGROUPS AT THE HIGHEST RISK FOR DEVELOPING DIABETIC FOOT PROBLEMS

• Uncontrolled Diabetes
• Neglected foot care
• Associated Neuropathy
• Associated Peripheral Arterial Disease/smoking
WARNING SIGNS
Consult your doctor immediately if you see any of the following
alarming signs on your feet:
• Wound/ulcer development
• Abnormal swelling
• Redness/localized pain
• Blister development
• Cuts/injury/broken skin on toes/heel
• Callus/corn development
• Nail or toes color changes(blue/black)
• Burning pains in legs/feet, worsening at night.
• Sharp leg cramps after walking some distance
• Feet feeling cold
• Tingling, pins and needles sensation, numbness in the feet
(neurologic symptoms)
• Slippage of ‘chappals’ from feet while walking
(neurologic symptoms)

DIABETIC FOOTTREATMENT

How can a vascular surgeon help?

• Wound cleaning procedure and antibiotics
• Complete non-weight bearing of the involved extremity
(special footwear)
• Dedicated diabetic foot wound dressing/ vacuum-assisted
closure (VAC) dressing
• Teaching foot care to patients
• Revascularization or re-establishment of blood flow to the feet
for non-healing wounds when needed.

Why?: To save the foot, leg

Goal: To Maximize foot blood circulation for wound healing
Treatment options:
1. Balloon angioplasty
2. Vascular stenting
3. Bypass surgery

what is DIABETIC FOOTMYTHS ABOUT DIABETIC FOOT TREATMENT
MYTHS

Technically not feasible to perform
High chances for treatment failure
Very costly
Limb amputation is inevitable
Good quality artificial legs are better for lifestyle

FACTS

Routinely performed by experts
Very good success rate
Cost-effective treatment
Rarely required provided timely treatment is carried out
Nothing is comparable to one’s own legs