Expert stresses on diabetic foot care

Delivering the Kamalam Ramasamy Udayar endowment oration in physiotherapy at Sri Ramachandra University here, he said with 61 million diabetic patients in India, which is expected to increase to 89 million in 2020 and 101 million by 2030, diabetic foot-care has become highly specialized. 

Diabetic patients should check their foot at least once a year, severe cases once in six months and those with ulcers once a month for preventive and corrective treatment. 

The problem could be corrected with optimally fitted special footwear with cushioned insoles and remember to try the correct fitness only in the evening when the foot would have swollen a little. Widespread awareness, early risk assessment, aggressive treatment and lifestyle modification could prevent amputation of the limbs, Dr Maiya said.