Buy shoes made with a soft upper material that can breathe and be sure you have extra room in the toe box. Test out new shoes by wearing them for about 10 minutes and then checking for redness. Change the shoes you wear from day to day. Your physician can prescribe therapeutic footwear and it is covered by many insurance plans. Conn. Annually, thousand of diabetic patients require amputations as a result of common foot and ankle problems including ulceration, infection and gangrene.
Prevention is the best weapon against diabetes related foot problems.
Nerve damage can also cause toe deformities, collapse of the arch, and dry skin which can lead to other problems such as foot ulcers, infections and possible gangrene and amputation. The Department of Orthopaedics in conjunction with the American Foot and Ankle Society and the American Diabetes Association sponsors the screenings. Topics will include diet, stress, current research and treatments. The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the UConn Medical Group and University Dentists. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service.