People with diabetes can develop many different foot problems. Even ordinary problems can get worse and lead to serious complications. People with diabetes are far more likely to have a foot or leg amputated than people without diabetes. Foot problems most often happen when there is nerve damage, also called neuropathy. This can cause tingling, pain (burning or stinging), or weakness in the foot. It can also cause loss of feeling in the foot, so you can injure it and not know it. Poor blood flow or changes in the shape of your feet or toes may also cause problems. Many people with diabetes have peripheral artery disease (PAD) (which reduces blood flow to the feet) and neuropathy. Together, these problems make it easy to get ulcers and infections that may lead to amputation. 

Most amputations are preventable by checking your feet daily, going to regular visits with your doctor, and wearing proper footwear.

The connection between diabetes and your feet is important because diabetes can cause nerve damage and reduced circulation, ultimately leading to limb loss and other complications. The good news is, you can lower your chances of complications by managing your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels and taking care of your feet.

For these reasons, take good care of your feet and see your doctor right away if you see any signs of foot problems. Ask about prescription shoes that are covered by Medicare and other insurance. Always follow your doctor’s advice when caring for ulcers or other foot problems.

• Wash your feet thoroughly everyday
• Dry them thoroughly, and don’t forget to dry between your toes
• Moisturize your feet, but avoid moisturizing between your toes 
• Keep your toenails trim and use an emery board to file down sharp edges
• Check your feet for sores, cuts, blisters, corns, or redness daily. Let your doctor know if you find any of these. 
• Wear moisture-wicking socks 
• Before putting your shoes on, check for sharp objects (i.e., small rocks) 
• Wear shoes that fit well and don’t rub your feet
• While you’re at it, avoid these:
  • Walking around barefoot
  • Soaking your feet
  • Smoking

Read the ADA Clinical Compendia Series: New Evidence-Based Therapies for Complex Diabetic Foot Wounds

Below is a list of abbreviations used in the compendia:

• ADA American Diabetes Association
• ATA Absolute atmosphere
• CDO Continuous delivery of oxygen
• COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019
• D Day
• DFO Deferoxamine
• DFU Diabetic foot ulcer
• FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• HBOT Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• HIF-1α Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α
• ITT Intention-to-treat
• IWGDF International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot
• M Month
• MMP Matrix metalloproteinase
• NOSF Nano-oligosaccharide
• NPWT Negative pressure wound therapy
• OR Odds ratio
• PAD Peripheral artery disease
• PDGF Platelet-derived growth factor
• PO2 Partial pressure of oxygen
• RCT Randomized controlled trial
• RWD Real-world data
• RWE Real-world evidence
• TBI Toe-brachial index
• TcPO2 Transcutaneous oxygen pressure
• TLC Technology lipido-colloid
• TOT Topical oxygen therapy
• UT University of Texas
• UTAUT Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology
• VEGF Vascular endothelial growth factor
• W Week