According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, every twenty seconds someone loses a limb because of diabetes.  Hoping to change this number, scientists from the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance developed what they call a ‘Smart Sock’ that utilizes sensors and fiber optics to detect areas where ulcers may form.

Dr. Armstrong claims this invention was inspired by virtual reality video games. Although this technology is impressive, it is not expected to be available to the public until at least 2019. Until then, many people with diabetes and other systemic diseases are prone to amputation if their condition is left untreated.

If left untreated, systemic diseases can create permanent debilitations in your daily life. If you are contending with foot or ankle difficulty, see podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can treat your foot and ankle needs.

Systemic Diseases of the Foot

Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable.  Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.

Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Some common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs to lower the acid levels in the body.

Diabetes mellitus is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin this is a factor in Diabetes.

Diabetes of the Feet

Diabetic Neuropathy may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.

Peripheral Vascular Disease can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often leads to amputation. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.

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