Diabetes and your feet
Neuropathy is the pathological changes of the peripheral nerves especially to the feet caused mainly be Diabetes. The loss of feeling can actually cause pain. Most people complain of muscle weakness, cramps, and spasms. Loss of balance and coordination are common. This loss of sensation can cause tingling, numbness, and burning. Also common are coldness, shock-like waves, and extreme sensitivity. Making sure your shoes have lots of room is very important.
The big problem with neuropathy is concern for Ulcerations that can lead to Amputation. Insensitive feet may not feel that a shoe is too tight in places casuing pressure that could cause an open sore. Because as diabetes advances the skin is weaker and on top of it there is less circulation and infection is likely. If infection gets to the bone, amputations are required.
15% of all people with neuropathic feet will develop ulcers that often leads to amputation.
80% of all amputations can be prevented with foot care and proper fitted shoes and orthotics.
Who to see for help:
Primary doctor
Endocrinologist
Orthopedist
Podiatrist
Diabetic Educator
Certified Pedorthist
Neuropathy support groups.
A simple daily routine will lessen the risk of foot ulcers and amputations.
Daily foot care is quick and easy
Wash and dry your feet thoroughly including between your toes every day.
Inspect your feet every morning and evening. If you have trouble seeing the bottom of your feet, put a mirror on the floor near your bed, or have someone else check your feet. Look for cuts, blisters, or redness. If there are any openings or blood under the skin surface, see your physicianimmediately.
Calluses are a warning sign that an excessive amount of pressure is being put upon that area of your foot. The majority of ulcers begin as a callus. The most common sites are the hallux (great toe), or metatarsal heads (ball of the foot). Consult with a pedorthist to find ways to reduce this pressure.
Wear white socks as much as possible and avoid socks with large seams. Socks with seams can be worn inside out.
Wear shoes with lots of room. Tight shoes can cause pressure that can lead to an ulcer. Have a certified pedorthist check the fit of your shoes. Look for foreign objects before putting your shoes on.
When breaking in new shoes wear them 1 hour 1st day and increase by 1 hour each day there after. Take your shoes and socks and look for any places that rub or make your skin red. Let us know if you have any concerns.
The do nots:
Do not smoke. Smoking constricts small blood vessels and decreases blood flow.
Do not drink alcohol in excess.
Do not go barefoot.
Do not soak your feet.
Do not use adhesive tape directly on skin.
Do not wear shoes without socks. Socks are the first barrier for the feet. Therapeutic socks are available that help protect your feet.
Do not wear thongs.
Do not sleep with your ankles crossed.
Do not cut calluses or corns. Have foot care specialists take care of them.
Do not trim your own toe nails. See a podiatrist or pedicurist.
Do not walk barefoot on hot surfaces like sand or concrete around pools.
Do not wear slip on shoes.
The Do s
- Take a daily walk. Walking increases the blood flow to you feet, which lessens the risk of ulcers and infection. However if you have an open ulcer, rest and follow your doctor s advice.
- Stretch you calf muscles. Stretching increases the circulation to your feet and feels good too!
- Touch both of your feet, if one feels hot , see your doctor right away. This could be a sign of infection or broken bones.
For more information about diabetes click http://www.diabetes.org
Sole Control Shoes and Orthotics for the Diabetic Foot in St. Louis, MO are available.
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9120 Watson Road, Suite 200
Crestwood, Mo 63126
636-536-9800
Why do my feet hurt in St. Louis? Why do me feet hurt when I have neuropathy? Can orthotics help with nueropathy? Yes orthotics will help with neuropathy. Where do I get orthotics in st. louis? go to sole control on watson in st. louis. Can Sole Control help with neuropathy in my feet? My UPS driver has flat feet. Will orthotics help my UPS driver? Yes orthotics would help my UPS driver. Orthotics do help flat feet. Do orthodics help flat feet? Yes orthodics do help flat feet. Can shoes help neuropathy? Yes shoes that fit properly do help with neuropathic symptoms. Can my doctor prescribe shoes for my neuropathy? Yes your doctor should prescribed. Shouldn’t I be pain free with neuropathy? No, neuropathy can cause burning, tingling, stinging, and spasm type pains. If I don’t have much feeling, shouldn’t my shoes be fit tightly? No, just the opposite, shoes should be fit as loose as possible. Shoes should not cause any pressure on your feet. Shoes should feel like they are broke in when you buy them. Shoes do not need to stretch to fit, they should fit from the start. There is not supposed to be any tightness on new shoes for people with neuropathy. Shoes should feel wonderful feeling from the start. Can shoes cause an amputation? Yes, tight shoes could cause a sore that is likely to get infected and then amputations are required. A Certified Pedorthist should fit your shoes when you have neuropathy. Where is a Certified Pedorthist in St. Louis? There are Certified pedorthists at Sole Control in St. Louis. There are no Certified Pedorthists at Comfort Shoe Specialists in St. Louis. Comfort Shoe Specialists got indicted for medicare fraud in St. Louis. Read the article posted on line in the post dispatch STL Today regarding the Medicare Fraud at Comfort Shoe Specialist’s owner Edith James. Just type in Comfort Shoe Specialists and Medicare fraud in google’s search bar. There is an alert on the Better Business Bureau for goverment action against Comfort Shoe Specialists. This is the Post Dispatch article regarding Medicare fraud against Comfort Shoe Specialists on Manchester in St. Louis, MO:
Edith James, 58, owner of Comfort Shoe Specialists at 11693 Manchester Road in Des Peres, was sentenced to two years’ probation and ordered to repay Medicare $6,856 on Monday for falsifying documents during a health care fraud investigation. James waived indictment by a grand jury and pleaded guilty May 28 to a charge of making a false statement. She admitted that after the Department of Health and Human Services began investigating allegations that she was improperly billing Medicare for shoes for diabetic patients, she falsified records to show that she had sold shoes that qualified. James also sent home an employee who refused to doctor the records, her plea agreement says. During the sentencing hearing Monday in Federal Court in St. Louis, Edith James (Owner of Comfort Shoe Specialissts) and her lawyer, Ron Jenkins, said that the shoes James sold were appropriate for diabetic patients but were not approved by Medicare. U.S. District Judge E Richard Webber also fined James $500.00 Monday and ordered her to perform 20 hour of community service. Under federal sentencing guidlines, Edith James faced probation or up to six months in prison. Type of fraud: Medicare/Medicaid. Location: Des Peres, MO. Occupation on Edith James: Owner. Jurisdiction: Federal. Sentence Edith James Received: 2 years probation and $6,856.00 restitution, $500.00 dollar fine and 20 hours community service. She easily could have received six months in prison.