The Purpose Behind Diabetic Socks

Diabetic socks are designed to focus on protecting and preventing injury to the feet. Protecting the feet is very important for people with diabetes because even a small blister or cut can become a much bigger issue if left unnoticed. Diabetes can often cause circulation issues and nerve damage and this makes the chance of getting and not healing a wound, higher. Diabetic socks are designed to have the following features:

• Seamless design: meaning no stitching that could otherwise cause friction/irritation.
• Non-binding tops: stretchy materials are often used, so blood circulation is not constricted.
• Moisture-wicking material: cotton and merino wool are often used to keep the feet dry and prevent bacteria overgrowth.

The main goal of diabetic socks is comfort, protection, and prevention rather than compression. There are however diabetic compression socks that combine the above-mentioned features with graduated compression and padding to help reduce swelling for those clients suffering from swelling.

The Purpose Behind Compression Socks

Compression socks are designed with one thing in mind: improving circulation. They are designed with graduated compression that gently squeezes or applies the most pressure to the ankle and less on legs to help push blood back towards the heart. This gentle boost in blood flow will help to reduce swelling and help to prevent conditions like varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis (blood clots). Compression socks are often prescribed to clients who:

• Spend long hours standing or sitting
• Travel frequently
• Clients who are recovering from surgery
• Clients experiencing leg fatigue or swelling
• Pregnant women

Clients must be measured and properly sized for compression socks because they fit tightly compared to diabetic socks and can cause constriction if they are too tight and not work well if they are too loose.

Simple Foot Care Tips You Can Do at Home

Even the best socks work best as part of a good foot care routine. Here are a few tips you can take to help your feet stay healthy:

1. Keep your feet clean and dry: After you bathe, you should make sure to dry your feet, especially between toes.
2. Moisturize regularly: Avoid putting lotion between the toes to prevent them from getting moist. A moist environment can cause infection from bacteria and fungi.
3. Check your feet daily if you have diabetes: Use a handheld mirror to check all areas, even the bottom of the feet, for redness, blisters, cuts or sores.
4. Change socks daily: This prevents bacteria and infections from developing. If you sweat a lot or have worked out, you may need to change them more often than once a day.
5. Wear properly fitted shoes: Shoes should fit snugly without being too tight. You should be able to wiggle your toes freely. Ideally, if you have diabetes, the shoe should also be seamless.

The Bottom Line

While diabetic socks and compression socks may seem similar, they are designed with different end goals. One is to protect, while the other is to support circulation. Choosing the right sock can make a big difference in your foot health. If you are unsure which type of sock is best for you, a BioPed clinician can help guide you and make recommendations based on your specific needs. Additionally, they can recommend other supportive solutions like custom orthotics or proper footwear to help you stay comfortable so you can do more of what you love.

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When do you see a Chiropodist or a Footcare Nurse?

Footcare Nurses perform many of the treatments that Chiropodists do regarding skin and toenails. This will include the trimming of calluses, corns, amd thick or ingrown nails. They also treat warts.

As mentioned, between the two professions, only a Chiropodist can perform biomechanical exams. They will be required when you need orthotics. They can provide a prescription for the orthotics or for antibiotics. Thus, you’ll want to see a Chiropodist is you have an active infection, an open wound, or have a need for numbing with anesthesia.  They also can perform a surgical procedure where necessary.

Below, we will discuss the specific conditions where these clinicians can help you!

Ingrown Toenails

A painful condition where the nail grows into the soft tissue, by the border or edge.

Having the nail pierce or puncture the skin can be considerably painful, and occurs when the nails are curved or spiked. This can usually be prevented with proper nail-trimming technique, appropriate footwear, and education. But sometimes genetics is an unavoidable risk factor.

Both Chiropodists and Footcare nurses can use the Onyfix technology to manage ingrown toenails. This treatment is non-invasive, safe, and long lasting. It works as a brace to alleviate pressure and helps the nails grow straighter. In dire measures, Chiropodists can perform nail surgery as well.

Fungal Toenails

An infection by fungus, causing the nail to be either thick, discoloured, crumbly, smelly, or all of the above.

Fungal toenails need intervention to be fully treated and cannot be resolved on their own. Treatment can include medication, light therapy, and debridement. BioPed clinicians are trained in ToeFX treatment, which is a novel light therapy treatment that has been shown to be very effective against tricky fungal toenails. BioPed nurses offer over-the-counter medication effective against nail fungus and Chiropodists can prescribe a pharmaceutical.

If a topical medicine is used, the nail must be thin enough for the treatments to penetrate through. Chiropodists and Footcare nurses can debride the toenails and allow the treatment to be successful.

Corns and Calluses

Thick skin that can appear anywhere on the foot – bottom, top, or even in between the toes.

Caused by high pressure or friction, the skin builds up in a local area as a defense mechanism at first, but it can quickly become pathological. This build up can be painful and change the way we walk, leading to other issues up the leg.

The medical footcare team can easily care for calluses and corns, and can offer solutions on how to prevent them from coming back. Moisturizing, offloading the pressure with orthotics and quality orthopedic footwear are all excellent solutions to do so.

Plantar Warts

A viral infection. Warts are found on the bottom of the foot and are contagious.

Warts will look different than a corn or callus with a blooming or cauliflower-like appearance, along with black dotting and pain along the sides of the lesion. The virus of interest is the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can take time to fully resolve.

Similarly to corns and calluses and fungus, they need to be debrided so that medication can penetrate and cure the infection. Chiropodists and Footcare Nurses can apply topical medications such as silver nitrate or Cantharidin. For surgical procedures, Chiropodists can perform an excision or needling procedure.

Diabetes and Foot Health

A systemic disease, associated with high blood sugar, that affects the whole body with a slew of complications, especially in the foot.

Due to these complications, people with diabetes are more likely to have cold feet, infection, and even loss of nerve sensation, known as neuropathy. 70% of non-traumatic foot amputations are a result of poorly controlled diabetes.

To maintain and ensure continued foot health, BioPed Chiropodists and Footcare Nurses will monitor feet with routine care and diabetic assessments. The education provided is invaluable to keep the feet healthy through life.

Biomechanical and Musculoskeletal Pain

Found in conditions such as plantar fasciitis, clawed digits, and gait abnormalities.

Being on your feet is a natural part of life, but can also cause damage to them over them. Physically, the stress can amount to findings of deformity and pain.

When dealing with a deformity like crowded digits or clawed toes, the medical footcare team can create custom toe props or use silicone sleeves to offload pressure.

With other painful conditions, Chiropodists are able to assess the gait to address the abnormality, and proceed with surgical intervention, such as injections where necessary,

How do I book an appointment?

BioPed Registered Chiropodists and Advanced Footcare Nurses can help improve your foot health, alleviate foot pain, and get you back to doing more of what you love in life.

Contact your local BioPed and schedule an appointment to find out how a Registered Chiropodist or Advanced Footcare Nurse can help you today!

The post How Can a Chiropodist or Footcare Nurse Improve Your Foot Health? appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

What Are Diabetic Socks?

Diabetic socks are specially designed to reduce the risk of foot injuries. They provide cushioning and enhance circulation. For clients with diabetes, reduced circulation or neuropathy (nerve damage) can make feet more vulnerable to wounds, blisters or infections. Diabetic socks are made with the following features:

• Seamless toes: This prevents friction and pressure wounds.
• Sag resistance: Non-restricting to the leg but also prevents slipping down the leg, which can cause friction and pressure on the foot and ankle.
• No bind top: Does not bind or restrict blood circulation. No leg indentations from elastics!
• Cushion: Added protection while minimizing irritation to sensitive feet.

So, why are diabetic socks so important and why you should consider wearing them if you have diabetes?

1. Protects Skin: The seamless, cushioned socks reduce the risk of blisters and pressure wounds. For clients with diabetes, even a small blister can lead to major issues if left untreated.
2. Improves Circulation: The sag resistance and light compression from the diabetic socks help to improve the blood flow to the legs and feet.
3. Moisture Management: Diabetic socks wick away moisture, keeping your feet dry. This reduces the risk of infections, especially fungal infections. For clients prone to sweating or who are on their feet a lot, this can make a significant difference.
4. Cushioning: Extra padding, especially in the toes and heels, reduces pressure in those areas of the foot. This is especially helpful if you have reduced sensation and need more protection from external impacts.

Tips to Keeping Your Diabetic Feet Healthy:

While diabetic socks are essential in keeping your feet healthy, there are other steps you can take to keep your feet healthy.

• Daily Foot Inspections: Check your feet daily for any cuts, blisters or swelling/redness. Catching injuries early can help you keep your feet! Use a handheld mirror to inspect the bottom of your feet if you cannot bend enough to see them well.
• Proper Footwear: Choosing the proper footwear is crucial. Shoes that are too tight or too short create pressure points on the feet, while wearing shoes that are too big can cause rubbing and blisters. A BioPed Clinician can recommend the best option for your needs.
• Moisturize: Keeping your skin hydrated is key to preventing cracks that can turn into infections. Just remember to avoid moisturizing between the toes to prevent fungal overgrowth.
• Staying Active: Light physical activity, such as walking for 30 minutes a day can help with blood circulation to the lower limbs.

With the right care and support, clients with diabetes can keep their feet healthy and continue living life to the fullest. Diabetic socks are one small, easy step in the right direction, offering comfort and protection that can make a big difference. Managing your foot health is a multi-faceted effort. Whether it’s finding the right footwear, or adding orthotics, there are plenty of ways to improve your comfort and mobility. We’re here to help you take care of your feet, so you can stay active and do more of what you love.

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How Does Diabetes Affect the Feet?

If blood glucose is not well controlled, a person with diabetes will be more at risk for developing complications. Complications commonly occur in the feet because the small blood vessels and nerves are more susceptible to damage from high sugar levels circulating in the blood. Less than optimal circulation can affect a person’s ability to heal from even minor cuts and scrapes.  Additionally, the feet may not be able to sense injury when nerve sensation is affected. This results in altered protective sensation, which manifests as pins and needles, numbness and even hypersensitivity and pain. If skin breakdown occurs due to injury, such as friction and pressure, or from neglect of the nails and skin, infection and more serious complications may result.

Tips for Keeping Feet Healthy with Diabetes

Your nails and skin are often a reflection of your overall health. There are key things you can do at home to keep your nails and skin on your feet healthy during the winter and all year long!

Treatment of Toenails at Home

1. Wash your feet and scrub your toenails gently before cutting.
2. Avoid cutting your toenails too short; leave about 1-2mm at the end of the nail.
3. Prior to cutting nails, swab the nails and surrounding skin with rubbing alcohol to cleanse.
4. In a well-lit room, cut toenails straight across using a proper nail cutter, and round off the edges with a file.
5. If your nails are thick, file across the surface of the nail plate using an emery board.
6. Do not cut or push back your cuticles because they act as a seal at the base of your nails to prevent infection.
7. When finished trimming nails, inspect for nicks in the skin; if you find one, use an antiseptic or antibiotic cream to prevent infection and cover with a bandage as an added precaution.
8. If your nails are brittle, discoloured or cracking, try Formula 3® or Footlogix Nail Tincture encourage healthy nail growth and keep fungus at bay.
9. If you experience numbness or pins and needles, have trouble seeing or reaching your feet, ask someone to help you cut your nails.

Treatment of Skin at Home

1. Wash feet daily using a mild soak and lukewarm water; this will keep the surface of the skin clean and ready for moisturising.
2. Dry skin well after washing and focus on in between and underneath the toes.
3. If the skin in between your toes is too moist, an astringent, such as rubbing alcohol can be applied to balance moisture level.
4. If feet are dry, apply a moisturiser after washing and while skin is still a bit moist (avoid in between the toes); Footlogix Very Dry Skin formula is excellent and quick absorbing.
5. Callus or hard skin can be softened with a foot file while skin is wet or dry. The Footlogix Foot File resists rusting and doesn’t have sharp edges, making it safe to use.
6. A moisturiser containing the active ingredient urea works well to soften callus or hard skin.
7. Avoid using any sharp tools to cut corns or callus, and medicated pads containing salicylic acid are not recommended as they can damage healthy skin as well.
8. Silicone toe sleeves, non-medicated corn pads and foam toe wedges can protect and offload high pressure or friction areas in between, on the top or tips of toes, or on the bottom of feet.
9. Inspect feet twice daily, in the morning before putting your socks on and at night when you take them off; look for breaks in the skin, redness, fluid or blisters.
10. Avoid wearing socks that are too tight; fibres with breathability and socks with extra protection are best; Simcan socks are made for people with diabetes.

Book An Appointment

If you have diabetes, BioPed Footcare is here to help!  Select BioPed locations have Advanced Footcare Nurses and/or Registered Chiropodists who are trained to assess and treat your nails and skin and treat and monitor your foot health on a regular basis.  Give us a call today to book an appointment!

The post Foot Care Tips for People with Diabetes During the Winter Months appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

• Infections
• Sores
• Ulcers

Why Are Feet at Risk with Diabetes?

There are two major ways diabetes can affect your feet:

1. Poor Circulation: Reduced blood flow to your feet. This is because the increase in sugar levels affect the blood circulation. The small blood vessels are particularly impacted and decrease blood flow to the feet. This greatly impacts a person’s ability to heal from even minor cuts and scrapes. Untreated wounds can lead to infections, ulcers, and amputation. All of which can be life-threatening.
2. Nerve Damage or Neuropathy: This is the feeling of pins and needles in the feet. This condition can impair your ability to sense an injury and can lead to skin breakdown and infection.

For these reasons, even small injuries can lead to more serious complications if not addressed. There are several preventative measures you can do, and proper footwear is a great place to start.

The Role of a Good Shoe

To reduce your risk of developing foot issues, wearing supportive, well-fitting shoes is important. A well-fitted shoes provides the following:

• Protection: Quality shoes act as a physical barrier, reducing the chances of scrapes, cuts or other injuries.
• Comfort and Support: supportive, comfortable shoes reduce pressure points which reduces the chance of blisters, corns or callouses that can turn into ulcers.
• Circulation: Well-fitting shoes do not restrict blood flow; this is crucial for patients with diabetes. Many times, people that have neuropathy choose shoes that are too tight because they cannot feel their feet and feel more secure. This is dangerous because too tight can cause loss of circulation and increase pressure points on the feet.

Diabetic-Friendly Shoe

It is important to remember not all shoes will do. When looking for a shoe it is important to remember the following tips:

1. Soft, Seamless Interiors: seams or rough material inside the shoe can lead to friction and sores, increasing the risk of diabetic ulcers. Look for options with soft, smooth interiors.
2. Wide Toe Box: You should be able to wiggle your toes in the shoe, look for a shoe that does not narrow at the end. This will prevent squeezing or rubbing, which can cause blisters or irritation.
3. Proper Fit: The shoe should fit snugly, you want enough room to wiggle your toes, but not enough space that your foot slides around in the shoe. Either too big or too small can lead to blistering of the skin.
4. Cushioned, Supportive Soles: Cushioning can help to absorb shock, and arch support can reduce pressure on sensitive areas of the foot.
5. Adjustable Fastenings: Velcro or Laces allow you to adjust the fit of the shoe if needed throughout the day, especially if your feet swell. This decreases pressure points on the feet.

Dailey Tips for Healthy Feet

In addition to wearing proper shoes, here are some daily tips to keep your feet healthy:

• Check your feet: Visually check your feet daily. If you cannot bend enough to look at them, have someone look at them for you or use a hand-held mirror. Inspect your feet for any cuts, swelling, blisters, redness. Catching problems early can prevent more serious issues down the road.
• Keep your feet clean, dry and moisturized: Keeping the feet clean, dry and moisturized, especially between toes can prevent infections and skin breakdown.
• Cut Toenails Straight Across: Cutting straight across will prevent ingrown toenails, which can lead to infection. If you cannot cut your nails, consider seeking the help of an advanced footcare nurse or chiropodist at BioPed.
• Stay Active: light exercise can improve the blood circulation in your lower limbs. Even walking for 30 minutes a day can drastically improve your health.

Remember, taking care of your feet is a critical part of managing diabetes. By investing in quality footwear and following good footcare habits, you can reduce your risk of complications and keep moving forward. Your feet work hard for you, give them the care they deserve!

The post Diabetes and Foot Health: Why Quality Footwear Matters appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

Fungal Toenails

Fungal nails can be thick, discoloured, crumbly and smelly and are treated with topical or oral antifungals.  Photodisinfection therapy (PDT) is a topical treatment that uses light to increase its anti-fungal effect.  For topical solutions to be effective, the nail must be thin enough for the treatment to penetrate to the nail bed where the fungus resides. A Chiropodist can significantly reduce the thickness of the nail plate or remove the nail plate altogether. If the nail is removed completely, once it has fully healed, a topical treatment is applied directly to the nail bed where the fungus resides.

Ingrown Toenails

A nail that digs into the surrounding skin causing pain and discomfort is considered an ingrown nail. This can occur when there is an exaggerated curvature of the nail or when a spike of nail punctures the skin. Ingrown toenails usually respond well to consistent nail care and properly fitted footwear.  Education on the cause of an ingrown toenail is key and can help guide care at home.  Select BioPed locations offer Onyfix® nail correction, which helps alleviate pressure at the sides by improving the shape of the nail. Chiropodists can also perform partial and total nail avulsions to remove the offending nail and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Callus & Corns

These lesions appear as thickened skin on the bottoms of the feet, top of or in between the toes.  Calluses and corns are often painful and to offset the pain experienced, a person may alter how they walk. Chiropodists are trained to remove calluses and corns using a scalpel blade and can also prescribe custom foot orthotics to help correct gait and offload high pressure areas. Chiropodists will assess footwear and recommend a style that is suitable for foot type and chosen activity.

Plantar Warts

Warts typically have a cauliflower-like texture, contain black dots (blood vessels), and may be painful when squeezed.  They can occur suddenly and unlike calluses and corns, can appear anywhere on the foot, not just weightbearing areas. Caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), warts can be challenging to eradicate. Chiropodists debride wart tissue to allow chosen topical treatments to work better. Common treatments include liquid nitrogen, silver nitrate, salicylic acid and cantharidin. In addition to these more conservative treatments, Chiropodists can also perform dry needling and wart excision. Dry needling relies solely on an immune response in the body and is one the most effective treatments available.

Toe Deformities

Hammer toes, claw toes and bunions, oh my! These toe deformities can cause pain and discomfort and make finding the right footwear a seemingly impossible task.  Chiropodists can fabricate toe props using a mouldable material to help straighten toes when standing. Custom foot orthotics can be modified to lessen the pressure on toes and rebalance muscles around the toes.  Footwear must always be wide and deep enough to accommodate toes and feet.

Diabetes & Feet

People who have diabetes are more susceptible to complications, such as peripheral neuropathy or altered protective sensation, and infection. To maintain healthy feet, it is important to see a Chiropodist regularly for routine nail and skin care treatments. Diabetes Risk Assessments are performed to determine the risk for complications and provide advice on how to inspect and care for feet at home between appointments.

Biomechanical Treatment

Chiropodists are trained in assessing gait and the range of motion quality of joints in the feet. Depending on lower body mechanics and presenting issue(s), a Chiropodist might prescribe custom foot orthotics to correct the way a person walks or runs and improve alignment and balance.

Whether you’re an elite athlete, a recreational runner or someone who wants to stay active, a BioPed Chiropodist can help you move and function better, which can prevent injury and alleviate pain and discomfort!

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