A Lifetime of Quality Care That’s Convenient & Complete Love your feet (and they’ll love you)...

A Lifetime of Quality Care That’s Convenient & CompleteA Lifetime of Quality Care That’s Convenient & Complete

Love your feet (and they’ll love you)

Robert Grimshaw MD FACP

A Lifetime of Quality Care That’s Convenient & Complete


Quick: What Has...

• 26 bones• 33 joints• 20 muscles• 150 ligaments• 250,000 sweat glands that release a cup of moisture a day• daily endures the cumulative force of hundreds of tons• trudges about 115,000 miles in a lifetime?

You’re right – your foot!


Our Feet

Our feet are important to all of us, but are especially at risk in those with poor blood flow or diabetes.

Of some 16 million diabetics, 15% will be hospitalized for foot problems.


The Reasons:Poor Sensation:

Neuropathy (due to diabetes or other causes) leads to injuries because you don’t know you’ve been hurt, can cause toes to curl up and other deformities.

Poor Circulation: Lessened arterial blood flow means that feet can’t fight infection and injuries are slow to heal. If you’re getting pain in your calves on walking, we should check your blood flow – there’s a lot we can (and should) do!

From callus to ulcer - what you don't want


What WE’LL Do:

At your physical, we’ll ask about your feet; alert us to any issues. We’ll check your feet for sensation,Pulses, and ulcers.


If you’re diabetic: Get our foot guide

We’ll check your feet more often. We’ll discuss a podiatrist (footspecialist). For more information, see the "Diabetic Foot Guide" inthe Our Guide section.

Other resources are the American Diabetic Association(www.diabetes.org ).


What YOU Should Do:

• Wash every day, and dry carefully between toes• Check daily for cuts, sores, calluses, & blisters• Test the water first - don’t make the temperature too hot• CHANGE YOUR SHOES 2-3 times during the day – they lose

resilience• Wear socks if cold, and choose them carefully: well padded,

½" longer than your longest toe• Do not use hot water bottles, heating pads, or electric

blankets (you can be burned)• No garters! (they cut off blood flow)• Cut toenails straight• Don’t rip hangnails


What YOU Should Do (continued):

• Wear comfortable, flat shoes that fit, and break them in slowly

• Buy shoes at the END of the day, when your feet are swollen (if they’re comfortable then, they’ll likely be so all day!)

• Check shoes daily for pebbles, tears, etc• Never walk barefoot!• Keep your feet dry by dusting with non-medicated powder If

your feet are too dry and the skin is cracking, moisten with Nivea, Eucerin, or Alpha-Keri (NO PERFUMES!)

• If you’re diabetic, control your sugar• DON’T SMOKE!!!• If you lose sensation, tell us!• See us at the FIRST sign of infection or inflammation.

A Lifetime of Quality Care That’s Convenient & Complete Love your feet (and they’ll love you)...

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