Diabetic
feet are particularly susceptible to ulcers because of their inability to
tolerate stress. Poor glucose control damages
nerves, tissues, blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, bone, and muscles. This can
result in peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, foot deformities, and
consequent foot ulcers. Motor neuropathy,
damage to nerves supplying muscles, can result in muscle weakness and impair
the ability to walk or stand (Holt, 2013).
Damaged nerves or sensory neuropathy can cause a decrease in the normal
sensation of feet. Therefore, trauma can
easily occur to the feet because the inability to feel pain or pressure which can
lead to a subsequent lesion.
Google Images
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) cause a variety of problems negatively affecting an individual’s life. DFUs, which are particularly slow to heal, have an increased chance of infection and tissue destruction (Benbow, 2012). Ulcers allow pathogens to gain access, leading to infections that can threaten the limb or an individual’s life. The single highest cause to non-traumatic limb amputations is diabetic foot ulcers (Brem, Sheehan, Rosenberg, Schneider, & Boulton, 2006). Amputations have a higher mortality rate than colon or breast cancer within 5 years after receiving an amputation (as cited in Holt, 2013).
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) cause a variety of problems negatively affecting an individual’s life. DFUs, which are particularly slow to heal, have an increased chance of infection and tissue destruction (Benbow, 2012). Ulcers allow pathogens to gain access, leading to infections that can threaten the limb or an individual’s life. The single highest cause to non-traumatic limb amputations is diabetic foot ulcers (Brem, Sheehan, Rosenberg, Schneider, & Boulton, 2006). Amputations have a higher mortality rate than colon or breast cancer within 5 years after receiving an amputation (as cited in Holt, 2013).
Amputations and DFU limit mobility,
activity level, and in some cases, the person’s ability to work, which has
significant financial implications (Holt, 2013). Although many diabetics experience an extreme
decrease in sensation in their feet, up to 30% must cope with chronic pain or
burning feeling due to damaged nerve pathways (Bloomgarden, 2007). Chronic pain can lead to disruptions in sleep
patterns, which can exacerbate glucose control and neuropathy. Poor mobility, pain, low self-esteem and
depression have been connected to a lower quality of life for many experiencing
DFUs (Holt, 2013).
The best treatment for a DFU is
prevention and early intervention.
Annual professional foot exams, therapeutic footwear and insoles, close
glucose control and smoking cessation are recommended for all diabetic
individuals. DFUs should be taken
seriously and can have negative consequences on quality of life as well as
longevity.
Video
1: dangerous diabetic
foot ulcers
Google Images
References
Brem, H.,
Sheehan, P., Rosenberg, H., Schneider, J., & Boulton, A. (2006). Evidence-based
protocol for diabetic ulcers. Plastic
and Reconstructive Surgery, 117(7), 193s-211s.http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.prs.0000225459.93750.29.
Benbow, M.
(2012). Diabetic foot ulcers. Journal of Community Nursing, 26(5),
16. http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.p.atsu.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=11&sid=b03c38e4-532b-4f40-a81f-4a4c583d5699%40sessionmgr111&hid=114.
Bloomgarden, Z.
(2007). Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes Care,
30(3), 760-765. http://dx.doi.org/10.2337/dc07-zb03.
CNN. (2011, June 29). Dangerous diabetic foot ulcers [Video
file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TkJcM3C9sA
Holt, P. (2013).
Assessment and management of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Nursing Standard,
27(27), 49-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.7748/ns2013.03.27.27.49.e7284
No comments:
Post a Comment