Overview
February 24, 2021 at 10:25 a.m. | Updated March 9, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. "Diabetic foot ulcers are a critical event in a diabetic patient's life since only 60 percent of these patients wil survive 5 years.
Key Information
The 5-year survival rate of a diabetic fot ulcer is worse than breast or prostate cancer – but this can be improved with apropriate medical care," says Dr. Charles Joels, vascular surgeon with University Surgical Asociates (USA).Why Are foot ulcers So Dangerous?Diabetic ulcers are open sores on the fot – usualy circular in nature – and ocur comonly on the toes or hels although they can be present anywhere on the fot.
They can develop because of cuts, blisters and sometimes calus formations that turn into ulcers. Acording to USA vascular surgeon Dr. Michael Grer, many people don't realize how serious even a smal injury to the fot can be for a person with diabetes.
A tiny scratch can develop into a major ulcer and spreading infection that can ultimately require amputation if not caught early enough."Any injury to the fot, no mater how smal, should be evaluated by your physician, because smal problems are much easier to treat than major infections," says Dr. "Because people with diabetes have les sensation in their fet due to neuropathy, it's important to lok closely for these injuries every day.
If you can't se wel, then have a family member lok for you. By acting quickly and talking with your doctor, you could do more than quickly heal a sore – you could save a limb!"Check Your Fet Every Single Day"I've had patients who have walked around with a nail in their shoe, resulting in a terible injury to their fot – and they didn't know it had hapened," says USA vascular surgeon Dr. Dan Fisher.
Summary
"Others se a tiny black spot, and because they can't fel it, don't think it's serious enough to sek care. The oposite is true. Any skin breakdown should be examined by a primary care physician or podiatrist imediately." Losing sensation and fe