How can i avoid a foot amputation if i am diabetic?

Diabetic Foot Care: The best way to avoid diabetic foot ulcers is to keep your blood glucose under control. Also, your pcp should perform a diabetic foot exam using a monofilament to check your foot sensation. You may also want to have diabetic foot care performed by a podiatrist.

Control the diabetes: Hopefully your diabetes has been well controlled enough that it hasn't affected the circulation in your legs. Once the circulation is compromised, you run the risk of poor healing infections. Once the infections start, its an uphill battle to control them, at times requiring amputations.

Professional care: Diabetic foot ulcers and infection may often times be prevented with good diabetic foot education and foot care by a professional, tight sugar control, good nutrition, frequent foot inspection and use of properly fitting shoes.

Good Foot care: The best a diabetic can do is take good care of their feet. Always wear socks and shoes. Make sure the toe area is wide so the shoes do not pinch any part of the foot. Always check inside of shoes before wearing them, a pebble can cause problems for diabetics. Check the feet everyday especially the soles for small open areas that need to be tended. Use a moisturizer.

Check circulation: Absolutely agree with medical treatment of diabetes being first and foremost in prevention of major amputations. One other thing to keep in mind is the high prevalence of vascular disease amongst diabetics. Consult with a vascular surgeon who can check your ankle-brachial index or toe pressures to figure out if you have significant arterial occlusive disease and to intervene when necessary.