At-Risk Foot Care

Shari L. Kaminsky, DPM PC, provides at-risk foot care to prevent life-threatening complications for patients prone to wounds, infections, and amputations. At-risk patients tend to show evidence of serious health conditions in their feet first. Patients have been known to find out they have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or cardiovascular disease when seeing a podiatrist.

Infected ulcers are 20 to 30 times more likely in patients with diabetes or peripheral arterial disease. Peripheral neuropathy produced by these chronic conditions often prevents patients from recognizing an ulcer before an infection develops. The lack of sensation in the feet allows calluses and corns to become bigger and cause ulcers to form underneath.

Patients who are aware of a diagnosis of diabetes or peripheral neuropathy should be seeing a podiatrist regularly and checking their feet daily. If an ulcer is found anywhere on the feet, an immediate appointment is required for assessment.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) produces reduced blood flow to the feet when blood vessels are narrowed. Lack of circulation causes slowed or reduced healing. The high blood sugars in diabetics commonly lead to PAD and peripheral neuropathy.

One of the biggest problems with diabetic peripheral neuropathy is that more than 90% of patients are not aware they have it.

Call 314-355-0074 to make an appointment for an at-risk assessment at Shari L. Kaminsky, DPM PC, in Florissant, Missouri.