Diabetes Leads to Toe and Leg Amputations for Missouri Man

Diabetes Leads to Toe and Leg Amputations for Missouri Man

Brent Riley, who lost his leg to diabetes, is pictured with his family, from left, Dash, 12; his wife, Kathy; Cookie (their dog); and Ella, 8.A man from the Midwest named Brent Riley found out at age 28 that he had had diabetes for probably many years. Despite his concerns he still had trouble taking care of his feet the way doctors told him too, and soon he developed neuropathy.

After a while he lost all feeling in his feet, and one day came home from work with broken toes and a broken arch. The bones in Riley’s toes became infected, and all five were amputated from his right foot. Four years later a giant blister popped up on his foot, and the news of more bone infections prompted him to decide to have his leg removed from under his knee.

If left untreated, diabetes can lead to severe complications in the feet, including loss of limbs. For help dealing with your diabetes, visit a podiatrist like Dr. Michael Wynn of Foot Care Associates of Texas, P.A. Dr. Wynn can diagnose your feet with any conditions you might not know about and guide you toward the next step.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people of all ages each year. Diabetes damages blood vessels in many parts of the body, including the feet. When damage occurs to nerves in the feet, they may be unable to send the proper signals to the peripheral nervous system, resulting in a condition known as neuropathy. Once a diabetic patient develops neuropathy, it is imperative that the feet are well taken care of to avoid possible amputation of the feet.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

- Regularly check your feet for bruises or sores.
- Wear socks that fit your feet; socks shouldn’t be tight.
- Wear properly fitting shoes that are comfortable.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their Hemoglobin A1C levels as this test lets the physician know how well the blood sugar levels have been controlled during the past 3 months. It is important to keep the blood sugar levels in a normal range (70-110mg/dl). It is advisable to visit a podiatrist if the diabetic patient is experiencing any conditions involving the feet.

To learn more about Diabetic Foot Care, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact our office in Kingwood, TX. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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