Fall Foot Focus

Foot care is always an issue high on the list of my priorities because it's an important consideration not just for someone who loves running as much as me. But because I have diabetes and the fact that living with the condition, can create an increased risk of foot related complications. It's not a happy statistic, but Diabetes UK have found that nearly 80% of amputations in England could be avoided. Which is staggering, and if 80% of amputations could be avoided, the question is what could we be doing to help keep our feet in tip top condition. Diabetes UK have some helpful suggestions on how to look after your feet, and how to best utilise the health care service providers on offer to help with care too.

Top Toe Tips

- Know your risk of developing foot problems and make sure that you are referred if necessary
- Make foot-care a part of your daily routine, just like managing your blood glucose and diet
- Be aware of any loss of sensation in your feet
- Ask someone to assess the feeling in your toes by doing the Touch the Toes test
- Avoid using corn-removing plasters or blades
- Keep useful numbers handy, and know who to contact at the first sign of problems with your feet.
- Always wear well fitting shoes
- Maintain good blood glucose levels, because good control can help prevent foot problems in the future by keeping the nerves and blood vessels that serve the feet health

Also it's worth remembering that you're not alone in looking after your feet, there are health care professionals available to help as well. As part of the annual review that you have within diabetes clinic (sort of like an MOT that a car has), one of the checks that's done is a foot check. I remember my last one was completely painless and fairly quick too. The diabetes doctor did tests like visually checking over my feet, testing the sensation/ feeling that I had in them and speaking to me about good foot care practices.

Although I do find that I feel the cold in my feet, I've been very careful so far and as a result very lucky with them. Of course my Protect it socks that I wear help, as they are designed especially for people with diabetes. With light comfortable padding on their sole, my Protect it socks are very cushioned to wear under foot. I put them through their paces last weekend whilst doing a training session at the sand dunes. This session involves a two mile country lane run for a warm up and running through woods, followed by a sand dune session as the main body of the exercise- and my socks were great throughout. The temperature dropped quite a bit this weekend and my Protect it socks were able to keep my feet warm when I needed it and then to allow moisture and heat to escape during the session. Which all helps in keeping my feet in tip top condition which in turn allows me to keep on running!