Love Your Feet
(And They’ll Love You)
Quick: what has
26 bones
33 joints
20 muscles
150 ligaments
250,000 sweat glands that release a cup of moisture a day
daily endures the cumulative force of hundreds of tons
trudges about 115,000 miles in a lifetime?
You’re right – your foot!
Our feet are important to all of us, but are especially at risk in those with poor blood flow or diabetes.
Of some 16 million diabetics, 15% will be hospitalized for foot problems. The reasons:
Poor Sensation: Neuropathy (due to diabetes or other causes) leads to injuries because you don’t know you’ve been hurt, can cause toes to curl up and other deformities.
Poor Circulation:
Lessened arterial blood flow means that feet can’t fight infection and injuries are slow to heal. If you’re getting pain in your calves on walking, we should check your blood flow – there’s a lot we can (and should) do! 
From callus to ulcer - what you don’t want
What WE’LL Do:
At your physical, we’ll ask about your feet; alert us to any issues
We’ll check your feet for sensation, pulses and ulcers
If you’re diabetic:
Get our foot guide
We’ll check your feet more often
We’ll discuss a podiatrist (foot specialist)
For more see the "Diabetic Foot Guide" in the Our Guide section. Other resources are the American Diabetic Association (diabetes.org) and the Joslin Clinic (Joslin.org).
What YOU Should Do:
Wash every day, and dry carefully between toes
Check daily for cuts sores, calluses & blisters
Test the water first - don’t make the temp too hot
CHANGE YOUR SHOES 2-3 times during the day – they lose resilience
Wear socks if cold, and choose them carefully: well padded, ½" longer than your longest toe
Don’t use hot water bottles, heating pads or electric blankets (you can be burned)
No garters! (they cut off blood flow)
Cut toenails straight
Don’t rip hangnails
Wear comfortable, flat shoes that fit, and break them in slowly
Buy shoes at the END of the day, when your feet are swollen (if they’re comfortable then, they’ll likely be so all day!)
Check shoes daily for pebbles, tears, etc
Never walk barefoot!
Keep your feet dry by dusting with non-medicated powder
If your feet are too dry and the skin is cracking, moisten with Nivea, Eucerin or Alpha-Keri (NO PERFUMES!)
If you’re diabetic, control your sugar
DON’T SMOKE!!!
If you lose sensation, tell us!
See us at the FIRST sign of infection or inflammation.