Your doctor has undoubtedly warned you about the increased risk of diabetic foot problems, including ulcers and Charcot Foot (characterized by weakness and deformity), if you have been diagnosed. Attending diabetic foot exams, when a Maryville, IL foot and ankle doctor will conduct crucial tests to check for diabetes-related foot concerns, is therefore vital.
Feet and High Blood Sugar: A Clinical Perspective
It is natural to be curious about the connection between diabetes and the foot complications known as diabetic foot. Diabetes begins when the body is unable to control blood sugar levels. Since the relationship is not immediately apparent, let us dive into the various types of diabetes to understand the problem better.
- Type 1 diabetics, typically diagnosed as children, suffer from an inadequate supply of insulin because their immune system wrongly suppresses pancreatic synthesis of the hormone.
- Type 2 diabetics, who are more likely to be overweight, differ in that they can secrete insulin. However, they either produce insufficient amounts or develop immunity to its effects. This means that their cells are also starved for glucose.
Diagnostic Procedures for Neurological and Vascular Disorders
Diabetics should check their feet daily because of the increased risk of foot complications. Keep an eye out for symptoms, including a change in skin tone or the form of your feet, fatigue, hair loss, tingling or numbness, cuts, or pus. Additionally, it is recommended that you have a diabetic foot evaluation annually.
- Doppler Test
The ultrasound examines the effects of sound waves reflecting off of red blood cells. A podiatrist uses a probe to listen to the top of your foot and then uses a speaker to amplify and analyze the results. More vital sounds, like a beating drum, imply better circulation, whereas softer ones indicate the opposite.
- Tuning Fork Test
During evaluations of diabetic feet, a tuning fork is utilized to listen for signs of nerve damage. The podiatrist will tap the base of the tuning fork on the palm of their hand before placing it on your big toe and striking it against your feet. You close your eyes and let the podiatrist know when you are no longer feeling the vibration, or the podiatrist may turn it down to see if you notice the difference. Nerve injury makes it hard to feel vibrations or notice their absence.
- Monofilament Test
This evaluation looks at nerves in the foot that are not in the toes or the sole. The monofilament is a thin, plastic rod that can be used in place of wire. As you close your eyes, your podiatrist gently presses the monofilament against your skin to determine whether or not you feel it.
