Helping people with diabetes manage their foot care
Tips to step up for foot health awareness
News Release/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Attention: News/Community Editors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO, May 25, 2010 - Seventy-seven year old William Mason has lived with type 2 diabetes for 15 years. More than a year ago, William started losing circulation in his left leg, which resulted in gangrene. Unable to stop it from spreading, doctors had to amputate his leg.
By learning to care for his remaining foot, William has a better chance at protecting his health and preventing another amputation.
Today, more than three million Canadians are living with diabetes. Although diabetes is manageable, long-term effects such as decreased sensation and circulation can place you at a higher risk for serious foot infections and potential limb loss. Understanding the necessary steps for diabetic foot care today can be the key to warding off serious foot problems in the future.
These 10 important diabetic foot care tips can help you prevent complications:
- Check your feet daily for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling.
- Wash your feet every day and dry your feet well, especially between the toes.
- Avoid extreme temperatures. Test water with a thermometer.
- Moisturize your skin, but not between the toes.
- Never walk barefoot. Wear shoes and socks at all times.
- Wear properly fitting shoes. Check the length, the width, and the depth.
- Replace your footwear when they start to look worn - they may not be providing proper foot support.
- Check inside your shoes every day for pebbles, small objects, or rough edges.
- Stay active. Keep the blood flowing to your feet by walking at least 30 minutes per day.
- Visit a chiropodist at least once a year.
"It is really important for diabetics to be educated and take an active role in their foot health," says Francine Jodoin, registered nurse and diabetes foot health expert at St. John's Rehab Hospital. "If you see something odd, get it checked out by a doctor right away."
After his surgery, William was referred to St. John's Rehab Hospital to learn to walk again with his new prosthetic. To complement his rehab, William also visits with our foot health experts, who provide individual assessments to establish the circulatory and neurological status of people's feet, as well as personalized foot care advice.
Concerned with the health of your feet? Talk with our expert chiropodists at our accredited hospital. The St. John's Rehab Hospital Chiropody Clinic specializes in assessment, treatment and prevention of foot diseases, disorders and dysfunctions. For more information, contact us at 416-226-6780 ext. 7019 or visit us at www.stjohnsrehab.com.
For more information about diabetes facts, risk factors, prevention and management, please visit the Canadian Diabetes Association's website at www.diabetes.ca.
About St. John's Rehab Hospital
St. John's Rehab is the only hospital in Ontario solely dedicated to specialized rehabilitation. This North Toronto facility is a community affiliated teaching site of the University of Toronto and is recognized as a high-performing hospital by the Ontario Hospital Association's Hospital Report Series. Home to Ontario's only burn and Canada's only organ transplant rehabilitation programs, we care for people with complex, life-changing illnesses and injuries. With a unique focus on the whole person - body, mind and spirit - St. John's Rehab Hospital is rebuilding people's lives. For more information about St. John's Rehab Hospital visit www.stjohnsrehab.com.
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For media inquiries:
Audrey Kim, Advisor, Media Relations and Strategic Communications
St. John's Rehab Hospital
416-226-6780 ext. 7089 akim@stjohnsrehab.com