Diabetes and Common Foot and Other Wound Problems
The number of patients suffering from diabetes in the United States is in the millions. That number is expected to double in the next 10 years. The medical community is continuously improving the care for the diabetic patient and as a result their life expectancy has increased. That alone is remarkable, but there is an increase in lower extremity complications that comes with a longer life. These complications include peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy, foot ulcers, infections, and Charcot foot. These complications significantly increase the risk of limb amputation. Your quality of life depends on the care received and we are dedicated to giving you the best that we can. We are working to make sure that lower extremity amputations are only a last resort.
Risk Factors for Lower Extremity Amputation
Diabetic ulcers are the most common foot injuries leading to the possibility of lower extremity amputation. Physicians play an important part in the prevention and early diagnosis of diabetic foot complications. In order to manage the diabetic foot, it requires knowledge of the risk factors for amputation. The patient must have a routine evaluation and preventive maintenance. The most common risk factors for ulcer formation include diabetic neuropathy (a family of nerve disorders caused by diabetes),structural foot deformity and peripheral arterial occlusive disease(impaired circulation to the extremities). Patient education regarding foot hygiene, nail care and proper footwear is crucial to reducing the risk of an injury that can lead to ulcer formation. This approach may ultimately lead to a reduction in lower extremity amputations related to diabetes.
Common risk factors for amputation of the diabetic foot
include peripheral neuropathy, and structural foot deformity.
* Absence of protective sensation due to peripheral neuropathy
* Arterial insufficiency
* Foot deformity and callus formation resulting in focal areas of high pressure
* Limited joint mobility
* Obesity* Impaired vision
* Poor glucose control leading to impaired wound healing ulceration,
infection and peripheral vascular disease.
* History of foot ulcer or lower extremity amputation
Bedsores or Decubitus Ulcers
Bedsores (pressure ulcers), also known as pressure sores or decubitus ulcers, result from prolonged pressure that cuts off the blood and oxygen supply to the skin, causing the skin and other tissue to die. The damage may occur in as little time as 12 hours of pressure, but it might not be noticed until days later when the skin begins to break down. The skin is especially likely to develop pressure sores if it is exposed to rubbing (friction) and moving the skin in one direction and the body in another, as in sliding down when the bed head is raised. Dampness (such as from perspiration or incontinence) makes the skin even more susceptible to developing pressure sores. Treatment of these types of problems is what we specialize in. We work with new techniques as well as Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments.
Dr. Bober is a specialist in wound care, diabetic limb salvage, and amputation prevention!
Dr. Bobers Office
1409 Kingsley Ave.
Suite 9G
Orange Park, FL 32073
The number of patients suffering from diabetes in the United States is in the millions. That number is expected to double in the next 10 years. The medical community is continuously improving the care for the diabetic patient and as a result their life expectancy has increased. That alone is remarkable, but there is an increase in lower extremity complications that comes with a longer life. These complications include peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy, foot ulcers, infections, and Charcot foot. These complications significantly increase the risk of limb amputation. Your quality of life depends on the care received and we are dedicated to giving you the best that we can. We are working to make sure that lower extremity amputations are only a last resort.
Risk Factors for Lower Extremity Amputation
Diabetic ulcers are the most common foot injuries leading to the possibility of lower extremity amputation. Physicians play an important part in the prevention and early diagnosis of diabetic foot complications. In order to manage the diabetic foot, it requires knowledge of the risk factors for amputation. The patient must have a routine evaluation and preventive maintenance. The most common risk factors for ulcer formation include diabetic neuropathy (a family of nerve disorders caused by diabetes),structural foot deformity and peripheral arterial occlusive disease(impaired circulation to the extremities). Patient education regarding foot hygiene, nail care and proper footwear is crucial to reducing the risk of an injury that can lead to ulcer formation. This approach may ultimately lead to a reduction in lower extremity amputations related to diabetes.
Common risk factors for amputation of the diabetic foot
include peripheral neuropathy, and structural foot deformity.
* Absence of protective sensation due to peripheral neuropathy
* Arterial insufficiency
* Foot deformity and callus formation resulting in focal areas of high pressure
* Limited joint mobility
* Obesity* Impaired vision
* Poor glucose control leading to impaired wound healing ulceration,
infection and peripheral vascular disease.
* History of foot ulcer or lower extremity amputation
Bedsores or Decubitus Ulcers
Bedsores (pressure ulcers), also known as pressure sores or decubitus ulcers, result from prolonged pressure that cuts off the blood and oxygen supply to the skin, causing the skin and other tissue to die. The damage may occur in as little time as 12 hours of pressure, but it might not be noticed until days later when the skin begins to break down. The skin is especially likely to develop pressure sores if it is exposed to rubbing (friction) and moving the skin in one direction and the body in another, as in sliding down when the bed head is raised. Dampness (such as from perspiration or incontinence) makes the skin even more susceptible to developing pressure sores. Treatment of these types of problems is what we specialize in. We work with new techniques as well as Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments.
Dr. Bober is a specialist in wound care, diabetic limb salvage, and amputation prevention!
Dr. Bobers Office
1409 Kingsley Ave.
Suite 9G
Orange Park, FL 32073