At-Risk Foot Care

The Statistics Are Literally Staggering

The relative 5-year mortality rate after limb amputation is 68%; 68% of patients who have an amputation will die within five years. When compared with cancer – it is second only to lung cancer (86%). (Colorectal cancer 39%, Breast cancer 23%, Hodgkin’s disease 18%, Prostate cancer 8%)

What is At Risk Foot Care?

At Risk Foot Care is a part of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery dedicated to the prevention of life threatening complications associated with Peripheral Artery Disease, Diabetes and other systemic diseases.

The human foot has a complex interrelation with the rest of the body, which means that it is the first area to show signs of serious conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease; here at San Mateo Podiatry Group, we call it At Risk Foot Care.

Why is At Risk Foot Care Important?

1. Patients don’t know or haven’t been told they have a systemic disease, such as Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) or Diabetes Mellitus (DM).
2. Patients don’t know that they are at risk for life and limb threatening complications, such as infections, wounds and amputations.

The Statistics Are Literally Staggering

• Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease or Diabetes with an infected ulcer, within one year, one in five patients will have had an amputation, another one in five will have died. 
• Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease or Diabetes are Twenty to Thirty times more likely to suffer a complication such as an infection or ulcer in the foot or ankle.
• 34% of patients with Diabetes will develop a foot ulcer at some time in their lives, 50% of those ulcers will become infected.
• 20% of diabetic foot infections result in amputation.
• After a major amputation, 50% of patients will have their OTHER limb amputated within 2 years.
• The relative 5-year mortality rate after limb amputation is 68%. Almost 70% of patients who have an amputation will die within five years. 
• When compared with cancer – it is second only to lung cancer (86%). (Colorectal cancer 39%, Breast cancer 23%, Hodgkin’s disease 18%, Prostate cancer 8%)
• Amputations from Diabetes and PAD kill more people annually than breast cancer and AIDS combined.

Common conditions, uncommon risks

The most common medical conditions that place patients At Risk for foot and ankle problems are Peripheral Artery Disease and Diabetes Mellitus.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), also called Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is a condition in which narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the foot, ankle and leg.

• PAD affects over 10 million people nationwide
• 75% of patients don’t know they have it
• Of patients with PAD, 40% have no symptoms.

Diabetes, also called Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a group of diseases that result in too much sugar in the blood (high blood glucose). Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is a type of nerve damage that can occur in patients with diabetes.

• Diabetes affects 30 million people nationwide
• 50% of people with diabetes don’t know they have it
• More than 90% of people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy are unaware they have it.

Saving Limbs, Saving Lives: Podiatrists Dramatically Reduce Amputation Risk

For patients with diabetes, a podiatrist is an essential, life-saving member of the care team. An independent study from Duke University confirmed that diabetic patients who saw a podiatrist were significantly less likely to undergo a lower-extremity amputation. The research proves that regular podiatric care is one of the most powerful protective measures you can take to prevent catastrophic complications.

Excellence in care is excellence in value: Podiatric Care is Proven to Reduce Healthcare Costs

eyond the critical health benefits, choosing a podiatrist is a wise financial decision for the entire healthcare system. A landmark study by Thomson Reuters found that when a diabetic patient sees a podiatrist, it saves the system an average of $19,686 per patient by preventing costly complications. This is powerful proof that podiatry is recognized as safe, effective, and highly efficient care.