Diabetes Mellitus affects more than two million people in Canada and many of them have complications that affect the feet. The level of complications vary widely, and therefore the treatment options are highly variable as well. The one thing that all people with Diabetes Mellitus must remember is: "Check your Feet Everyday!" What do you check for? Red marks, pressure areas, blisters, cuts - anything that is not normal. See your health care provider if you are not sure.
The reason that checking your feet is so important is that diabetes can lead to Diabetic Neuropathy where the sensation in the feet is altered and eventually a person with diabetes can lose all sensation. The loss of sensation along with other complications of diabetes can allow what normally would be a small callous become a life threatening ulcer. Prevention is the most important tool we have to protect your feet and here are some of the things that may be used to help you.
Foot Orthoses - custom made insoles made from plaster impressions of your feet to distribute pressure more evenly to help reduce callouses
Orthopaedic or comfort shoes - Shoes must fit properly and accommodate all foot deformities in length, width and depth (see Buying and Fitting Shoes Guidelines). The shoes offer protection for the feet from outside dangers as well as providing a stable base of support for the feet and help redistribute pressure.
Offloading Boot - For those people who have diabetic ulcers, it is essential to offload or remove pressure from the area. Several different types of boots are available, such as an AirCast, to help redistribute pressure and change the gait to allow the ulcer to heal.
Charcot Restraint Orthotic Walker (CROW) or custom ankle foot orthosis (AFO) - many different types of braces are designed and used to further offload pressure from the ulcerated area or the Charcot ankle. The CROW is a boot like brace that reduces pressure in the foot area and stabilizes the ankle.
For more information and pictures, please check:
http://www.slideshare.net/CODG/orthotic-management-of-the-diabetic-foot-v21
For more information from the Canadian Diabtes Association please check:
http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/living/complications/foot-care/
