A person should take care of his legs, constantly monitoring their condition and referring to a doctor as soon as they start to hurt or there are some changes in their appearance, functionality. Self-medication in such situations is unacceptable. The diagnosis should be made by a specialist based on the results of a comprehensive examination. And then develop a therapeutic scheme that allows you to adjust the work and appearance of the patient's lower extremities.
One of the most unpleasant diseases of human feet is the diabetic foot. So let's figure it out: what is it, why does it arise and how to fight it?
What is a diabetic foot?
The diabetic foot is one of the complications of diabetes mellitus, in which trophic ulcers form on this very foot. However, we are talking about a whole complex of anatomical and functional changes that develop against the background of diabetic neuropathy, micro- and macroangiopathy and osteoarthropathy. All this contributes to injury, as well as infection of the soft tissues of the foot, which may well will end in a purulent-necrotic process, which in especially advanced cases can lead to amputation limbs.
Symptoms
"Diabetic foot" is a really dangerous "sore". With it, you can just step on something, get hurt, then treat the wound as it should, but as a result, you will lose your foot and even your leg! This must be borne in mind. Such feet require increased attention. In this case, in no case should the following menacing signs be ignored:
- constantly freezing and eternally cold to the touch feet, which are often simply impossible to somehow warm up;
- periodic numbness of the feet and fingers, their reduced sensitivity;
- pain in the legs, including throbbing, as well as a tingling sensation, burning;
- long healing of wounds, scratches, calluses;
- poor healing of ulcers (if such have already arisen).
Diagnostics and, including analyzes
The therapist to whom the patient complains about the above symptoms should refer him to a vascular surgeon. This is first and foremost. And that specialist should, taking into account the condition of the patient's feet, prescribe a set of tests and other diagnostic procedures, including:
1. Determination of the level of neuropathy. It is necessary to find out what sensitivity is present: pain, tactile, temperature or vibration.
2. X-ray, with which you can detect diabetic osteoarthropathy and other unpleasant moments.
3. Doppler ultrasound of the vessels of the legs (including Doppler ultrasound, Doppler, and Doppler scanning) to find out if the patient has blood clots.
4. ABI (ankle-brachial index), which shows how much reduced arterial blood flow.
5. Blood tests, including a coagulogram.
6. General urine analysis.
In addition to a vascular surgeon, a patient with diabetic foot should consult an orthopedist and podiatrist.
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