Diabetic neuropathy can progress slowly or quickly. It follows a different course in each person. Once a diagnosis of diabetes has been made it is extremely important to work together with your podiatrist to manage its course. Poorly managed diabetic neuropathy can progress to more serious consequences, including serious wounds, ulcers and amputations.
Coming up with a daily routine is an easy way to keep an eye on the health of your feet. Once a day, preferably at night, check your feet for any injuries. Neuropathy diminishes the ability to feel any sort of injury to the bottom of your feet. For example, you might not notice stepping on a sharp rock and getting a small cut on the bottom of your foot. However, if you get in the routine of checking your feet every night before going to bed you would notice this small injury and be able to treat it early. If you are unable to perform these foot checks on your own, ask a family member or loved one to help you. Even small injuries like the one mentioned can lead to more serious complications if not noticed early. A simple foot check every night just has to consist of looking at the bottoms and tops of your feet as well as in between the toes.
Another great way to detect small injuries is to wear white socks. White socks would stain from blood if your foot was injured without you knowing. This way if you were to take your socks off at night and notice a red stain on your socks it would be a great hint that there may be an injury you are unaware of.
The most important thing is to recognize these injuries while they are small. Doing nightly foot examinations will reduce your risk of complication, as well as scheduling routine checkups with Dr. Jay C. Larson with Sole Foot and Ankle Specialists in Glendale, Arizona.