South Central Regional Medical Center Opens Diabetes Foot Clinic
Diabetes can cause
foot problems for many people. Serious complications can arise
from even the simplest problems. Poor blood flow and nerve damage
to the legs and feet can worsen these complications considerably.
About one in five people with diabetes enters the hospital for
foot problems. And, an estimated 54,000 diabetes-related lower
extremity amputations are performed annually.
To help increase this awareness, South Central Regional Medical Center has developed the Diabetes Foot Clinic at the South Central Rehabilitation and Wellness Complex. The foot care clinic is staffed by a physical therapist, a wound care nurse, and a diabetes education nurse. The program's goals are to provide the community with proper evaluation of potential or existing diabetic foot problems, to offer preventive or curative foot care, and to educate the patient and/or family members on potential risk factors and proper foot care.
All patients with diabetes should perform good daily foot care that includes keeping the feet clean and dry, and moisturizing daily. They should also check the appearance of the feet for drying and cracking, blisters, redness, and/or sores that won't heal. Problems such as these should not be ignored but reported to their physician as soon as possible. It is important to correct problems with diabetic feet early to prevent long-term complications, such as amputation. To utilize the diabetic foot clinic, contact your physician for a referral, or for more information, call South Central's Diabetic Educator at 426-4700.
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