FOOTCARE: What You Should Know!

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• FOOTCARE What You Should Know!

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Feet

• Most efficient form of transportation
• Stable base
• Composed of many small parts
• Fully integrated and adapted

• Every foot is different
• Unique bony structure allows man to stand erect
  and walk on two feet

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Natural Physical Attributes That Contribute to
Feets Vulnerability

• The feet are the most distant from the heart
• BP of the foot is 1/3 less than normal BP

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Normal Changes That Occur With Age Bones
and Joints

• Result
• Prone to stress fractures
• Prone to osteoarthritis
• Prone to develop bursitis

• Loss of bone mass
• Low rate of repair of articular surfaces
• Reduction of synovial fluid

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Ligaments

• Result
• Reduced tensile strength causing a. Permanent
  stretching of the ligaments b.
  Increased rigidity of foot

• Loss of pliability
• Loss of elastic fibre

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Muscles Arches

• Loss of muscle fibre
• Result
• Loss of agility
• Loss of muscle volume (thin feet)

• Loss of integrity of the arches
• Result
• Higher arches-rigid
• Lower arches lose spring
• Foot becomes wider and longer

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Circulation Nerves

• Reduced blood supply
• Reduced return to heart
• Result
• Decreased O2 and nutrients
• Increased healing time
• Edema

• Nerve supply decreased
• Result
• Reduced sensation
• Reduction in deep tendon reflex
• Reduction in active sweat glands

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Skin

• Loss of fatty pad
• Reduction in active sweat glands
• Reduction in active sebaceous glands
• Lower rate of cell replacement
• Diminished hair growth

• Result
• Prone to injury
• Skin becomes dry
• Skin becomes thin,flaky and scaly

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Nails

• Result
• Nails lose lustre, become brittle, thickened and
  striated
• Prone to infection (fungal)

• Reduced rate of growth
• Thickening of nail plate

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The High Risk Foot

• Feet are totally dependent on the major systems
  of the body for nutrition and innervation
• Presence of chronic disease in any of the major
  body systems will cause deprivation and could
  result in development of pathology.
  Foot at risk

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Individuals Considered High Risk Need Special Care

• Presence of chronic disease i.e.. Diabetes, heart
  disease, circulation problems, arthritis
• Stressful over loading i.e..Plant workers,
  obesity, pregnancy, sports activities
• Certain medications i.e.. Steroids, vaso-active
  agents
• Neglect and/or ill-fitting footwear

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Risk Factors - If You Have

• Loss of feeling in your feet
• Pain in legs while walking
• Changes in the shape of your feet
• Previous foot ulcers
• You are at risk for development of foot ulcers
  and possible amputations

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What We Know!

• 50 to 60 of all individuals with Diabetes have
  peripheral vessel disease
• 50 to 70 of non-traumatic amputations are due to
  Diabetes
• Over 50 will require a second amputation in 5
  years
• Lower limb amputation is done 13 times more often
  on individuals with Diabetes
• Foot problems account for 47 of all Diabetes
  related hospital beds

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What Can We Do?

• Check feet twice per day. Look for sores, cuts,
  bruises,injuries
• Do you suffer from neuropathy? Decrease in
  sensation is the single most important reason for
  foot injury
• Footwear is vitally important
• Check shoe wear before buying and putting on foot
• Avoid anything which restricts circulation

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What Can We Do?

• Avoid exposing your feet to extreme temperatures
• Do not soak feet
• Do wash feet daily

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What Can We Do?

• Trim nails carefully
• Exercise promotes circulation
• If you fall into a high risk category, you should
  be seen by a foot specialist
• Make sure your doctor/nurse examines your feet at
  each visit