This year’s Foot Health Month focus is a very important one – the diabetic foot.
Not many people are aware that diabetes effects the foot more than any other part of the body put together. In fact, with better care and screening ftrom podiatrtists, 90% of hospital stays would be reduced.
The Association is pushing for better education and screening http://youtu.be/rMrFexn6QNo
This is such an important cause to back – it will save lives.
We are concerned about the impact on hospitals of patients with diabetes related foot health problems.
With hospitals in NSW at breaking point, many beds are filled by patients with diabetes suffering foot problems; problems that could have been avoided.
Peter Lazzarini Australasian Podiatry Council’s (APodC) vice-president agrees.
‘On any given night in Australia, over 550 people are in hospital with diabetes-related foot ulcers…if you can imagine it, that’s like a large metropolitan hospital every night filled only with patients suffering problems with foot ulcers.’
‘The real shame is we know that up to 90% of those people, or 495 of the 550 patients each night, didn’t need to be there. Their foot problem could have been simply managed if they had better access to podiatry-led multi-disciplinary management in their community, thus, avoiding their need to go into hospital.’
‘Unfortunately, we also know around one in three people that currently go into hospital with a foot ulcer will come out with a limb amputated, costing up to $100,000 per patient.’ Mr Lazzarini continued.
‘The solution to this situation has to come from Federal Government. The APodC is using Foot Health Month 2011 to highlight the situation and call on the Government to take simple steps to improve foot health care for patients with diabetes.
‘It is really important that all patients with diabetes visit their podiatrist or doctor at least annually. It is absolutely vitally important that patients with known diabetic foot disease, like foot ulcers, visit their podiatrist and doctor weekly to heal their ulcer or monthly to prevent another ulcer. We know that this is the best way to avoid foot health complications which can lead to hospitalisation, amputation or even death.
‘Unfortunately, Medicare currently only funds up to 5 podiatry, or allied health, visits as part of a care plan for diabetes per year.
‘We are calling on the Federal Government to increase the number of Medicare services for people with diabetes foot disease to a minimum of 12 podiatry visits.’
Mr Lazzarini says it’s the obvious and cost-effective answer to an expensive problem.
‘Twelve Medicare-funded podiatry appointments for patients with diabetes cost a few hundred dollars, while lower limb amputations can cost the health system anywhere up to $100,000 per patient.’ he said.
‘Increasing the number of Medicare-funded podiatry appointments is one of the best ways to take the pressure of our hospitals and improve the health of Australians living with diabetes. The added bonus is we will also save the taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars by doing this. It really is a no brainer.’ Mr Lazzarini concluded.
Home & Community Podiatry Service is for residents of the Burwood, Ashfield, Canada Bay, Canterbury, Leichhardt, Marrickville & Strathfield Local Government Areas who are assessed to be a frail older person, a younger person with a disability, and their carers.
If you already receive a Home & Community Care (HACC) funded service you are eligible for this podiatry service.
Other HACC Services include Home Care, Meals on Wheels, Respite Care, Home Modification & Maintenance, Community Transport.
If you think you or a friend or family member may be eligible call the Podiatry Service Coordinator on 9911 9939. The coordinator will ask you some questions over the phone to see if you, your friend or family member are eligible for this service.
If eligible, the assessment officer will arrange a suitable time to visit you at home to assess your podiatry needs and make a suitable appointment with one of three local podiatrist clinics.
A small fee of $10.00 will be charged for each visit to the podiatrist. If you have private health cover Home & Community Podiatry Service will pay the ‘gap’ for you.
The Podiatry Service can also provide interpreter services, assistance with transport to and from the podiatrist clinic, and can arrange home visits if required. The service also holds regulars information sessions you can attend to learn more about your foot care needs.
Contact the Podiatry Monday to Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm.
Phone: 9911 9939
Fax: 9715 5266
The Home & Community Podiatry Service is funded by the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care and is auspiced by Burwood Council.
Click on the image to read our article in the latest publication of the Burwood Scene newspaper.
We are happy to be involved in the Buzz Day, where we raise much needed cash for Diabetes Australia.
Drop in and grab some pens or magnets and help out a good cause.
Or, you can donate online at http://www.buzzday.com.au/
Swollen legs generally occurs because of an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the lower extremity. The medical term for this is venous incompetence and essentially means that the blood is getting down to your feet, but struggling to get back up to your heart.
The typical uncomplicated case of swollen legs might be a 60 year old lady whose ankles puff up late in the day. She cannot wait to kick her shoes off at night, but by morning the swelling has gone.
Although swollen legs can be quite a nuisance, it cannot be forgotten that swelling can also be a clue to certain underlying medical problems. So it is important that the cause for your oedema is checked properly. Other conditions like previous venous thromboses and heart failure are more frequently seen in older people and may contribute to leg swelling. Swelling could also be due to lymphodema (a condition where the fluid is not being adequately removed from the body) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is characterised by swelling that happens quickly sometimes after a period of immobilisation and an associated intense amount of pain, please see your podiatrist or doctor immediately if this happens.
Who does it affect?
Venous incompetence will tend to plague us more as we get older and can be caused through pervious injury to the vein, genetic predisposition and is more common in caucasians. It is also more common in women, thought to be due to a combination of hormonal factors and as a result of pregnancy.
How does it happen?
The main veins that drain the legs are like columns of fluid with several in-built valves that work like muscles to squeeze around the columns and force the fluid from your feet back to your heart. If the valve is not working well enough, it has even more trouble circulating the fluid because it is fighting against gravity. So the more that you’re on your feet, the more fluid will accumulate around your ankles and the worse it will get as the day goes on, but in the morning when you’ve been lying flat all night and the fluid is not falling to your ankles with gravity, you have no problems.
What are the symptoms?
Along with the swelling, you may notice that it is typically worse towards the end of the day. Symptoms will be magnified in the hot weather or after sitting still for a long period of time, e.g. on an aeroplane. If the pressure on the main vein is large enough, the fluid can diffuse into the tissues and push itself into the little surface veins so they can be seen just under the skin, the larger veins to form varicose veins (the vein becomes swollen and bulbous), and small bruise like marks (haemosiderin deposits) may appear on your lower legs. As the condition worsens, the legs can burn and become itchy (a dermatitis called venous stasis dermatitis), the lower third of the leg may become hardened (liposclerosis – it can look like an inverted champagne bottle) and the area may be prone to breakdowns of the skin (ulcers).
How do I treat Venous Incompetence?
It’s a good idea to se someone to make sure that this is what the problem is.
What is the best shoe to buy?
Shoes are never easy to buy and unfortunately, there is no easy option but to pound the pavement in the shopping centres to look for what suits.� However, there are some tips to follow that will help you to find a good shoe. �As there are many footwear companies that have many different styles of shoes, some appropriate, some not so appropriate We cannot recommend a specific brand of shoe. �So, it is important to look at the shoe�s attributes, rather at the brand.
Fashion Shoes
A good shoe is one that supports and stays on your foot, without you having to claw your toes to keep it on.� Look for fastening mechanisms, like buckles, straps, laces, boots or shoes that come up higher on the top of your foot, so the foot is able to hold on to you, you�re not having to hang onto the shoe by clawing your toes.
Examples of shoes that you should avoid as you have to hang on to are slides, thongs and court shoes that end very low down near your toes.
High heels can cause pain in the forefoot and spine, but if you have to wear them for work, look for these same fastening mechanisms that allow the shoe to hold onto you.
Sport Shoes
Most companies will now split their shoes into 3 foot categories: flat feet, normal feet and high arches. �These shoes are full of technology to support each different foot type, so it is important to get this right to get the best shoe for you.� What to look for is:
Good luck and happy shopping!
We are very please to have this opportunity to invite you to join us at the clinic and try on a new range of unique orthotic friendly ladies footwear that until now has only been available if you travel to Melbourne.
Designed by a podiatrist, the Bared footwear range offers a highly stylish shoe that will effectively accommodate orthotics. Bared shoes are ideal for ladies needing to wear an orthotic, require above average stability and foot support or for those on their feet all day. The shoes incorporate a rigid shank, firm heel counter, removable strap and a molded, removable foot bed.
One of Bared’s professional fitting podiatrists will be holding fitting sessions in the clinic on Friday 9th October between 2.00 and 5.00, which we would encourage you to attend. This is a unique opportunity as you are under no obligation to try or purchase, but if you come along and like the look of the shoes you are welcome to have a free professional fitting – this will ensure the best fit is matched with your foot. There is a choice of 3 Bared styles; a heel, a flat and a new ‘self selected’ fabric shoe.
Please RSVP to Crista on 9712 2006 or e-mail her.
Happy walking
The simple answer is that there is no one specific brand of shoes to get. Rather than brands, Podiatrists look for attributes in shoes.
Some of these attributes we look for are the shoe being
Happy shopping!
Diabetes is a systemic illness related to the loss of normal control of blood sugar levels. There are multiple complications and implications of diabetes and these affect many systems and areas of the body, including your feet.
In fact, foot disorders result in more bed occupancies that any of the other complication combined, yet is so often overlooked. People with diabetes are more at risk of severe foot problems, however with the preventative aspects of foot care, evidence suggests that we can halve the amputation rate and prevent hospitalisation of people with diabetes.
So, what can happen? Two problems can occur, with your blood flow (Vascular System) and with your feeling (Neurological System).
Diabetes accelerates the development of small blockages in the arteries, leading to impaired circulation. Impaired circulation will have a large impact on your feet because they are the furthest away from your heart. This can lead to an increase in
Statistics show us that gangrene is 17 times more common and 2800 amputations are performed each year on people with diabetes (this makes up 4% of the diabetes population), and is half of all lower limb amputations.
High blood sugar levels can result in damage to the nerves, altering the messages to the brain. This condition is called neuropathy and can result in
Loss of feeling is present in 30% of people with diabetes and causes over 40% of lesions. A minor tissue injury was the pivotal event in 86% of amputation cases. Foot care screening, education programs and specialist foot care clinics can reduce the rates of amputation by 50%.
How can I help?
To help prevent any complications make sure you see you Podiatrist every 6 months to have your feet checked and we can give you a specific treatment plan tailored for you. When you see your GP or Endocrinologist (Diabetes Specialist) ask that they check your feet too.
Please remember – Diabetes can cause complications, but with good blood sugar level control and regular checks with your Doctor, Endocrinologist, Eye Specialist, Dietitian and Podiatrist it can be managed.
