11/14/2025
World Diabetes Day — Feet Matter 💙
Type 2 diabetes doesn’t just affect blood sugar — it can put your feet at real risk. But here’s the good news: podiatrists play a huge role in preventing amputations.
Why foot care is so important:
- About 80% of lower-limb amputations are caused by complications from diabetes.
- Up to 85% of these amputations start with a foot ulcer.
- 85% of lower-limb amputations are preventable with proper foot care.
How podiatrists help save legs (and lives):
- Regular foot checks: Podiatrists can detect early signs of poor blood flow, nerve damage, or wounds — before they turn into something worse.
- Wound care + offloading: Specialists use tools (like total contact casting) and other advanced treatments to offload pressure from ulcers, helping them heal faster.
- Preventive care matters: In a study of Medicaid patients with diabetic foot ulcers, those with podiatry access had a 48% lower risk of major amputation.
- Multidisciplinary benefits: In high-risk patients (like those with kidney failure), getting regular foot and ankle care from podiatrists was linked with improved 3-year amputation-free survival.
What you can do (yes, you — whether you have diabetes or know someone who does):
- See a podiatrist for annual foot exams (or more often if you have neuropathy)
- Do your daily foot check: look for cuts, blisters, red spots, or anything that doesn’t feel “normal”
- Tell your care team if you notice changes — don’t assume it’s “no big deal”
- Keep blood sugar in a good range — because damage over time contributes to foot problems
- Wear shoes that fit well and protect your feet — never walk barefoot
Bottom line: With the right foot care, the majority of amputations in people with Type 2 diabetes can be prevented. Podiatrists are on the front lines, helping catch trouble early, treat wounds, and keep feet healthy. This World Diabetes Day, it’s a powerful reminder that checking your feet isn’t small — it could be life-changing.
