People who have diabetes are vulnerable to nerve and vascular damage that can result in loss of protective sensation in the feet, poor circulation, and poor healing of foot ulcers. All of these conditions contribute to the high amputation rate in people with diabetes. The absence of nerve and vascular symptoms, however, does not mean that a patient’s feet are not at risk. Risk of ulceration cannot be assessed without careful examination of the patient’s bare feet
Early identification of foot problems and early intervention to prevent problems from worsening can avert many amputations
Good foot care, therefore, is an essential part of diabetes management – for patients as well as for health care providers
