What is Diabetic Foot?

“Diabetic foot is the condition due to Diabetes and which affects the arterial blood supply of the lower limb, resulting in the disturbance of the architecture of the foot and with a possible consequent inflammation of the leg, with an increased possibility of gangrene.
Complications that can occur in a patient with Diabetic Foot are ulceration, tissue infection, peripheral neuropathy and diabetic arteropathy,” points out the Mr. Fotios Markatis Director Vascular Surgeon at Metropolitan Hospital.

What are the symptoms?

It is particularly important for the patient to be able to recognize the first skin signs of diabetes mellitus, in order to start treatment immediately. The main symptoms include:
• Swollen and irritated leg
• Smooth and red leg
• Blisters or calluses
• Dry skin
• Bruised leg
• Foot discoloration
• Leg ulcer
• Hair loss

Complications

“The diabetic foot, in addition to orthopedic complications, i.e. architectural complication and diabetic neuropathy, creates a multitude of problems related to the circulatory system. Diabetic arteriopathies are caused by the damage that diabetes creates in the arteries. These can be either stenotic or occlusive, that is, create either strictures or thrombosis in the arteries that supply the leg, starting a series of problems in diabetic patients,” emphasizes the expert.

Valid prevention

The first big problem is that the danger is not easily perceived. And this is because in diabetic neuropathy, the patient has no sensation of pain and may suffer ongoing leg injuries without realizing it. The second problem is that there is no good information for the diabetic patient, regarding the precision with which he must watch and control his feet. He owes himself and his environment, to check even his shoes, any protrusions in the space he moves, even nails or points that can injure him and start a dangerous situation for his health.

Coping

“The diabetic foot needs aggressive and direct treatment, because otherwise it can lead to aggressive gangrene. Usually, the damage starts with an inflammation in the leg, which the specialized vascular surgeon examines in order to diagnose the blood supply problems of the leg. Then, he can proceed to treatment.
The treatment is now done with two large categories of techniques. The first is the open vascular surgeries, which are mainly bypasses. The second category is the much more modern and sophisticated techniques, the so-called endovascular ones, which are closed methods and are done with the use of catheters, stents, balloons, etc., which can help a lot in the treatment of the diabetic foot.

Are the two methods equally effective?

“Both methods are individualized on a case-by-case basis. First, the problem is diagnosed and then the vascular surgeon chooses the category of treatments that suits the case of the specific patient. Not all endovascular methods can treat all diseases, that’s why it is very important to make a correct diagnosis of the problem”, explains the vascular surgeon.

The advantages of endovascular techniques

• They are techniques that are performed with local anesthesia.
• Usually the hospitalization time is very short, i.e. one to two days of hospitalization are required.
• They are closed methods, so there is no major surgical trauma and there is no post-operative pain.
• In general, the patient’s quality of life after the endovascular method is much better compared to open techniques.

“It is certain that there are solutions if the patient is properly and timely informed, as well as continuous and preventive control. Because awareness and prevention are particularly important to avoid complications that can cause serious problems in the patient’s life. A prerequisite for the correct and complete treatment is the clinical examination by the vascular surgeon and the organization of the strategic diagnostic and treatment plan, which ensure the successful conclusion of the procedure”, concludes Mr. Markatis.