Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Serious Problem

Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans and that number continues to grow, with nearly 1,000,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

One of the common complications of diabetes is foot disease. Up to 15% or 2.7 million people with diabetes in the U.S. will develop a lower extremity ulcer (an open sore that often doesn't heal) which can lead to amputation.

Diabetic foot ulcers occur most often in patients over the age of 40; most Americans with diabetes are in this age group.

Approximately 6 to 43% of patients with diabetes who develop a foot ulcer have an amputation. Research, however, has shown that the development of a foot ulcer is preventable.

The 5 year survival rate for those who have had one major lower extremity amputation is 39 to 68 percent. And up to 50 percent of patients with diabetes undergo a second lower extremity amputation within 3 to 5 years of their initial amputation.

Costs associated with hospitalization and rehabilitation for a limb amputation can reach $47,000. Amputations are not inevitable. With good control of blood sugar and good foot care practices, many of these amputations can be avoided.

From Blister to Ulceration

Diabetes can cause nerve damage and circulatory problems in the feet. This can result in loss of feeling and make it difficult for those with the disease to feel pain or notice a sore. Diabetes can also lead to a diminished response to infection.

Minor injuries, such as a blister from a poorly fitting shoe, cracks in dry skin, or burns, should not go unnoticed, undiagnosed, or untreated. Otherwise, they can become chronic or nonhealing ulcers.

Good Prevention Goes a Long Way

The first step toward prevention of foot ulcers is controlling diabetes, exercising, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy body weight. It is also important to check feet daily for cuts, sores, or blisters; redness or swelling; infected or blackened toenails; and corns and calluses. Any cut, sore, bruise, or blister that does not begin to heal in two days should be reported to a doctor.

Follow good foot care practices, including washing feet in warm (not hot) water, drying feet well, moisturizing feet with lotion, applying sunscreen, and keeping nails trimmed.

Avoid walking barefoot and always wear well-fitting shoes and socks.

Early Treatment Is Key

Patients with diabetes should call their doctor or healthcare professional immediately if they see any cut, sore, bruise, or blister on their feet that doesn't begin to heal in two days. Treatment may include:

• Debridement (removing unhealthy tissue around the wound to encourage a supply of healthy blood)
• Treating infection with antibiotics if necessary
• Relieving pressure on the wound by recommending orthopedic shoes, inserts, walkers, crutches, or wheelchairs (offloading)
• Dressing the wound to help keep it clean and moist
• Prescribing a medication that can help increase the incidence of complete healing

For more information, contact:

REGRANEX Gel Clinical Communication Center

1-888-REGRANEX