The Department of diabetic foot care at Vinita Hospital has sophisticated diagnostic facilities to find out foot diseases well in advance. The diabetic foot specialist in Chennai provides exemplary care for foot health or illnesses focused on patient-centric treatment and evidence-based individual therapy. We have well-trained and educated diabetic foot specialists here who are highly experienced in dealing with various types of foot problems besides managing non-healing diabetic foot ulcers.
This best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai follows a multi-disciplinary approach to offer assessment, counseling, and management services relating to all foot problems including the management of chronic diabetic foot ulcers.
What is Diabetic Foot Care?
Diabetes often causes damage to several parts of the human body, including the feet known as diabetic foot. About 15% of diabetic patients are prone to foot ulcers. It can lead to major complications when left untreated because in severe cases, the doctor may cut off or amputate toes, different parts or whole of your foot, and even an entire leg.
It is said that after trauma, the most common cause of amputation of the lower limb is diabetes. If you visit the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai like Vinita Hospital, the podiatrists can help with an appropriate treatment to keep the feet healthy and possibly prevent amputation.
What are the Warning Signs of Foot Problems?
It is significant to recognize these early warning signs of foot problems include:
- Tingling, burning, or painful feet.
- Minor changes in the shape or color of the feet.
- Loss of sensation to sensory actions.
- Unexpected hair loss on toes, feet, or lower legs.
- Yellowing and thickening of the toenails.
- Red spots, sores, blisters, ulcers, ingrown toenails, or infected corn.
If you come across any of these symptoms, visit Vinita Hospital the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai to get a comprehensive diabetic foot care treatment.
What Gets a Diabetic Foot?
You have to check with the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai if you want to know the various risk factors of diabetic foot as it can vary from person to person. Some of them include:
- If a person is aged above 40.
- If a person is obese then the usual weight is.
- If a person has high cholesterol.
- If a person has high blood pressure.
- If a person has difficulty managing blood sugar levels.
When there are possible risks as mentioned above, it is always better to visit the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai and consult with the best diabetic foot specialist in Chennai as he/she will identify the initial stage of risk, and provide treatment plans or foot care therapy using cutting-edge technology.
Who is a Diabetic Foot Specialist?
A Podiatrist or a diabetic foot specialist plays a vital part in the diabetes health care team. The diabetic foot specialist in Chennai is specially trained to assess the nerve damage in your feet, besides identifying the specific foot health risks and aiding you with the best treatment plan for prevention.
The Objective of the Best Diabetic Foot Care Hospital in Chennai
The objective of the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai – Vinita Hospital is to provide comprehensive and effective medical care to individuals with diabetes who are at risk of developing diabetic foot problems.
This includes early detection and prevention of diabetic foot complications, prompt and effective management of foot infections and ulcers, and rehabilitation and recovery of patients with diabetic foot conditions.
The best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai aims to provide a patient-centered approach to diabetic foot care, ensuring that patients receive the highest quality of care, with a focus on achieving the best possible outcome. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life for patients with diabetes and to reduce the risk of amputations and other serious foot complications.
Specialized Services of the Diabetic Foot Care Hospital
- Comprehensive Foot Examination: Our best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai provides a thorough examination of the feet, including a review of medical history and current medications, assessment of sensation, pulse, and circulation, and examination of skin, nails, and bones.
- Customized Footwear: Our best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai offers customized footwear options for diabetics that can help prevent or manage foot problems. We provide special shoes, inserts, and orthotics designed specifically for diabetics.
- Wound Care: We offer specialized wound care services for diabetics including wound cleaning and debridement, wound dressings, and management of infections and ulcers.
- Nail Care: Our diabetic foot care center provides routine nail care services to help prevent nail problems. This includes nail trimming and debridement, as well as treatment for fungal infections and ingrown nails.
- Diabetic Foot Education: Our center provides educational services to help diabetics understand the importance of proper foot care and how to care for their feet.
- Diabetic Foot Surgery: Our center provides specialized surgical services for diabetics, including revascularization, amputation, and reconstruction procedures.
- Pain Management: We offer pain management services for diabetics with foot pain, including pain relief injections and nerve blocks.
- Regular Follow-Up Visits: Our diabetic foot care center provides regular follow-up visits to monitor the health of the feet and provide ongoing care and treatment.
Treatment Procedures at Vinita Hospital
Usually, the treatment of diabetic foot begins with careful skin and foot care. Inspecting the skin is very important, especially for people who are prone to diabetes. Detecting and treating foot and toe sores at the earliest by visiting the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai can help you prevent infection and keep the sore from becoming worse.
The goal of treating toe or foot ulcers is to heal the wound and relieve the pain. Your treatment plan in Vinita Hospital will be individualized based on the medical condition that causes ulcers.
There are both surgical and nonsurgical treatments provided in this best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai. For early-stage diabetic foot and toe ulcers, nonsurgical treatments may work. But for more advanced or complex diabetic foot or toe ulcers, it requires surgery.
The non-surgical treatments provided in the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai are:
- Antibiotics.
- Antiplatelet or anti-clotting medications.
- Draining.
- Topical wound care.
- Compression clothes.
- Orthotics.
- Prosthetics.
- Removing pressure from the area by wearing certain shoes, casts, or braces.
- You might need to use a wheelchair or crutches.
- Elevation of the foot.
The invasive and surgical treatments in the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai include:
- Hammertoe repair.
- Achilles tendon lengthening – stretching of the tendon.
- Debridement – removal of infected tissue.
- Tenotomy – removal of scar tissue.
- Plantar exostectomy – removal of parts of the sole of the foot.
- Shaving or removing bones.
- Metatarsal osteotomies – The metatarsal bone of the big toe is cut and realigned.
- Reconstructive surgery using skin grafts is done for patients with the severity of diabetic foot in the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai.
Precautionary Measures for Diabetic Foot
If you are prone to diabetes, circulation problems, damaged nerves, and infections, then you have to get complete care of your feet from the best diabetic foot surgeon in Chennai else it can lead to serious foot problems.
The podiatrist can prevent serious foot problems in this best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai by providing the best diabetic foot care regimen to follow in your daily routines. Some of the few foot care habits to make diabetic foot care effective and to maintain healthy feet include:
- Check your toes and feet regularly, by carefully looking in the sides, tops, heels, soles, and the area in between the toes. Contact the best diabetic foot surgeon in Chennai immediately if you witness any sores, cuts, blisters, redness, or bruises on your feet.
- Use warm water with mild soap to rinse your feet. Do not use hot water and harsh soaps because they can damage your skin as suggested in the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai.
- You can check the water temperature with your fingers or elbow before stepping on your feet. If you have diabetes, it is difficult to sense the temperature of water with your feet.
- Moisturize the feet if you experience any dryness as it can be a preventive measure for any further infections.
- Dry the feet well because infections can develop in the moist areas, and also ensure to dry the area between toes well.
Check Your Feet Every Day for Diabetic Foot
Diabetic foot is a common complication of diabetes, which can lead to serious problems such as ulcers, infections, and even amputations. One of the most effective ways to prevent diabetic foot is to check your feet every day. This simple habit can help you identify any changes in your feet and detect any problems early on before they become more serious.
To check your feet, start by inspecting them for any cuts, blisters, or sores. Look for any signs of redness, swelling, or tenderness, as these can be indications of an infection. If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms, contact your healthcare provider without any delay.
Next, check the bottoms of your feet and between your toes for any signs of dry or cracked skin. This can be an early sign of diabetic neuropathy, a condition that affects the nerves in your feet and legs.
It’s also important to monitor your toenails for any signs of discoloration or thickening. This can be a sign of a fungal infection, which can be more difficult to treat if left untreated.
Finally, pay attention to any changes in your foot’s temperature or sensation. Diabetic foot can cause a loss of sensation in your feet, making it difficult to feel any pain or discomfort. If come across any noticeable changes in your foot’s sensation or temperature, don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider at the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai.
Protect Your Feet with Shoes and Socks
For people with diabetes, foot problems can become a serious and potentially life-threatening issue. Diabetes can cause nerve damage, and circulation problems, and weaken the immune system, which can lead to foot injuries and infections. That’s why it’s essential to protect your feet with the right shoes and socks besides getting advanced treatment from the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai.
Here are some tips for selecting shoes and socks for diabetes feet:
- Choose shoes that fit well: Make sure that your shoes fit correctly and don’t rub or pinch your feet. Avoid high heels and shoes with pointed toes, which can cause pressure and friction.
- Look for shoes with good support: Choose shoes with a firm sole and good arch support to prevent foot strain and injuries.
- Avoid going barefoot: Never walk barefoot, even at home. Wear shoes or slippers with a firm sole to protect your feet from sharp objects and prevent injuries.
- Wear socks that fit well: Choose socks that fit well and don’t bunch up or wrinkle, as these can cause pressure and friction.
- Look for socks with extra padding: Look for socks with extra padding in the sole and heel to protect your feet and absorb shock while walking.
- Avoid socks with tight elastic bands: Avoid socks with tight elastic bands that can restrict blood flow and cause pressure sores.
- Check your shoes and socks regularly: Inspect your shoes and socks regularly for signs of wear and tear, and replace them if necessary.
By taking these simple precautions, you can help prevent foot injuries and infections and maintain your foot health. Moreover, you should also consider the important measures before approaching the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai.
- Check the blood sugar levels frequently.
- Maintain a proper diet.
- Maintain proper weight.
- Avoid alcohol intake or smoking.
- Select the shoes wisely.
- Wear foot-friendly socks.
- Take medications without delay.
- Keep your feet hydrated.
- Avoid walking barefoot.
- Trim your nails.
- Manage your diabetes.
Proper Diabetic Foot Care Has 3 Simple Components
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people globally and often leads to diabetic foot problems as one of its common complications. This is why proper diabetic foot care is essential to prevent complications such as infections, ulcers, and even amputations. There are three main components of proper diabetic foot care: skin and nail care, daily foot inspection, and proper footwear.
Skin and Nail Care
One of the primary reasons why diabetic patients need to take care of their feet is because diabetes can cause nerve damage, leading to decreased sensation in the feet. This lack of sensation can make it difficult to detect injuries or wounds, which can then become infected or develop into ulcers. Thus, diabetic patients should keep their feet clean and dry and avoid soaking their feet for extended periods, which can cause dryness and cracking.
To prevent dryness, it’s important for them to regularly moisturize their feet and refrain from applying lotion between their toes to minimize the chances of developing fungal infections. The experts at the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai may recommend that diabetic patients trim their toenails straight across and avoid cutting the corners too short to prevent ingrown nails.
Daily Foot Inspection
The second component of proper diabetic foot care is daily foot inspection. Diabetic patients should inspect their feet every day for any cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or other signs of injury or infection. They should also check for any changes in sensation, such as numbness or tingling.
If the patient has difficulty seeing the bottom of their feet, they can use a mirror or ask someone else to check for them. It’s essential to catch foot problems early so that they can be treated promptly, preventing them from progressing into more severe conditions.
Proper Footwear
The third component of proper diabetic foot care is wearing proper footwear. Diabetic patients should wear shoes that fit properly and provide good support, and avoid going barefoot. They should also avoid high heels, pointed toes, and shoes that are too tight or too loose.
Additionally, diabetic patients should always wear socks, and they should choose socks made of breathable materials that don’t constrict blood flow. Wearing proper footwear is essential to prevent injuries to the feet and to provide a protective barrier against infections.
Diabetic patients should also have their feet examined by a healthcare professional at least once a year or more often if they have any foot problems. During this exam, the healthcare professional at the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai will check for any changes in sensation, circulation, or skin condition and will address any concerns the patient may have. The healthcare professional may also recommend special shoes or inserts to provide additional support or cushioning.
It’s also essential for diabetic patients to work closely with their healthcare providers to manage their diabetes and any related foot problems. By doing so, they can stay healthy and active for years to come.
Diagnosis and Tests for Diabetic Foot Care
Physical Examination:
- A detailed inspection of the foot for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, and nail deformities.
- Check for any signs of poor circulation or nerve damage (neuropathy).
- Assessment of foot structure and skin conditions.
Monofilament Test:
- A simple, non-invasive test to assess the sensation in your feet. This helps detect nerve damage early, which is a common issue for diabetics.
- This imaging test measures blood flow in the arteries and veins of the foot. Poor blood circulation increases the risk of infection and slower healing times.
Blood Tests:
- Routine blood tests to check glucose levels, which play a crucial role in foot health. Uncontrolled diabetes is a leading cause of foot complications.
X-rays and MRI:
- Imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs may be performed if deeper infections, fractures, or bone abnormalities are suspected.
Conclusion
If you or your family members have diabetes, it is vital to visit the best diabetic foot care hospital in Chennai regularly. You should also keep in mind to immediately consult with the diabetic foot care specialist in Chennai from the Vinita Hospital if you find an ulcer on your foot or toe. The experts can treat your ulcer with advanced procedures, especially by detecting it early. If left untreated, there are chances of serious complications.
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