Re: Rare Diabetes Foot Complication Becoming More Common

On Oct 31, 1:57 am, Kurt <kurtwheeling1...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
http://diabetes.org/diabetesnewsarticle.jsp?storyId=16213757&filename...

or

http://tinyurl.com/2uk6kr

(excerpt)

CHICAGO, Oct 23, 2007 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Few
patients or care providers know about the limb-threatening foot
condition, or its warning signs

The following was released today by the American College of Foot and
Ankle Surgeons:

At first, Kim Schraeder didn't worry about the swelling in her left
foot. After all, it was pulling double-duty while her other foot
recovered from surgery.

"I have a high threshold for pain," she says. "It hurt to walk on it,
but I didn't think it was serious."

Just a year earlier, doctors diagnosed the 48-year-old mother of four
with diabetes. The recent surgery on her right foot corrected a bunion
to prevent reoccurring diabetic ulcers. As Schraeder's bunion recovery
moved forward, her left foot moved outwards. Her ankle bent inwards.
The foot grew so swollen none of her shoes fit. The skin was warm and
red. Schraeder started to worry.

During a follow-up visit with her foot and ankle surgeon, she spoke
up. Her doctor took one look and said, "We have a problem."

Schraeder was diagnosed with a rare diabetic complication called
Charcot foot (http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/charcot-
foot.htm). It is estimated to affect less than one percent of people
with diabetes. Now doctors with the American College of Foot and Ankle
Surgeons (ACFAS) say Charcot foot's prevalence appears to be growing
as more Americans get diabetes.

Foot problems scare me. I have none to date and my feeling is good. A
few
weeks ago I stepped on a screw and it went right into my heel. I was a
bit
worried and my heel bruised. After a week, I forgot about it and it
healed right up. Whew!

.

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