Why is it so important to have a podiatrist if you are
diabetic? Diabetics have a greater predisposition to have diabetic foot problems, such as neuropathy and ulcers. In order to determine if you have a
possibility of getting these conditions, your podiatrist will perform specific
diabetic tests.
Some of these tests include using a monofilament, the same
as fishing line, to determine if you can feel pressure on the bottom of your
foot or the top. This allows us to see if you have feeling in your foot or not.
If you do not then it means that you do not have any feeling on the bottom of
your foot and if you have a pebble or something else in your shoe then you will
not be able to feel it. That means that if you can’t feel it, you won’t realize
that it hurts and you can rub an ulcer on your foot.
Another test uses a tuning fork to determine if you can feel
vibration. This is one of the most important tests for a new diabetic, because
vibratory feeling is the first feeling that will leave your feet. It is a way
for us to gauge if you are already starting to experience the signs of
neuropathy. If you are, then there are some medications that you can be given,
that will help to slow down the development of neuropathy. As of right now,
there is no cure, unfortunately.
If you do have neuropathy, then it is especially important
for you to come in for your diabetic check-ups. Since you cannot feel your
feet, if you do not look at the bottoms of your feet then you may never see
that there is an ulcer on the bottom of your foot. The longer that an ulcer is
open on your foot and not being treated the more likely you are to develop an
infection.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with
diabetes then it is important that you come in for an initial evaluation with a
podiatrist. If you live in the Dracut or Chelmsford, Massachusetts area, then
Dr. Wachtel’s staff would be more than happy to help you schedule an
appointment. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover
offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87
Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.
Most people with diabetic neuropathy have no symptoms and they are oblivious that they have the condition, so annual diabetic check-ups are important for them.
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