Gregory Caringi, DPM

Taking good care of your feet is not just for the rich and famous. If you have diabetes, pampering your feet is not a luxury. It may, in fact, be just what the doctor ordered.

"People with diabetes need to take good care of their feet," says Gregory Caringi, DPM, a podiatrist and foot surgeon at Central Montgomery Medical Center. "By inspecting them regularly, they can check for cuts, abrasions and anything else out of the ordinary."

Heels, toes, arches and soles of feet should be inspected for:

• Swelling
• Discoloration
• Irritation
• Warm spots
• Lodged objects, like pebbles
• Deformities, change in structure or appearance

"It's important to check your feet every day," Dr. Caringi says. "If you can't do it, get a loved one to do it for you. Make it part of your regular hygiene routine, like brushing your teeth."

Diabetic Risks
In a person with diabetes, any change in the foot, visually or structurally, could be a sign of danger ahead. Poor circulation, uncontrolled blood sugar and neuropathy (a loss of sensation in the foot) may cause slow-healing wounds that, if not treated early, may lead to serious bone infection or amputation.

Time is of the essence. Unlike most healthy people, a person with diabetes cannot wait to see if their foot problems resolve.

"Minor cuts can turn very serious within hours, so it's extremely important to alert your physician right away if you see anything unusual, no matter how insignificant it appears," Dr. Caringi says.

Shoe Smarts
In addition to checking your feet daily and visiting your podiatrist for regularly scheduled visits, Dr. Caringi advises patients to wear properly fitted shoes.

"You want to prevent pressure points and friction that leads to sores and blisters," he says. "Go to a certified shoe fitter. Get your feet measured. It's better to have a few pairs of proper fitting shoes than a closet full of potential problems. It is money well-spent. You wouldn't put retread tires on your brand new car."

For more information or to make an appointment, please call Lansdale Podiatry Associates at 215-855-5854.

Can't Afford Fancy Footwear? Medicare Has You Covered
If you have diabetes and are covered by a Medicare Part B health insurance plan, you may be eligible for a new pair of shoes, fitted inserts and/or footwear modifications each year. Call your healthcare provider for information concerning the nationwide Therapeutic Shoe Bill. They can provide you with prescription information and names of local participating providers of this service.

Central Montgomery Medical Center 100 Medical Campus Drive, Lansdale, PA 19446 215-368-2100 | FAX 215-361-4933