2008 Elect to Save Your Feet Campaign

Diabetes Fast Facts Close to 24 million people or 8 percent of the population living in the U.S. has diabetes 17.9million people diagnosed 17.9 million people diagnosed 5.7 million people undiagnosed

Diabetes Warning Signs A tingling or loss of feeling in the feet Redness A change in the shape of the feet Loss of hair Cuts and scrapes that are slow to heal

Diabetes and Amputations Diabetes is the leading cause of non- traumatic, lower-limb amputations. The rate of amputation for people with diabetes is 10 times higher than for people without diabetes. After an amputation, the chance of another amputation within 3 to 5 years is as high as 50 percent.

Diabetes and Arterial Disease A build up of plaque on the artery walls in the legs is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). Can cause pain and numbness, which can increase a person's chance of getting an infection, and makes it difficult for the body to fight the infection.

Diabetes and Arterial Disease PAD affects 8 to 12 million Americans, and one in every five people over the age of 70 has the disease. PAD affects 8 to 12 million Americans, and one in every five people over the age of 70 has the disease. PAD and diabetes are the leading cause of non- traumatic, lower-limb amputations. PAD and diabetes are the leading cause of non- traumatic, lower-limb amputations. A simple blood pressure test called ankle- brachial index (ABI) compares blood pressure in your ankles with the blood pressure in your arm. A simple blood pressure test called ankle- brachial index (ABI) compares blood pressure in your ankles with the blood pressure in your arm.

PAD Risk Factors Smoking Smoking High Cholesterol High Cholesterol Obesity Obesity Diabetes Diabetes High Blood Pressure High Blood Pressure

Amputation Prevention Checklist Do’s Inspect feet daily for cuts, blisters, scratches, redness and swelling. Inspect feet daily for cuts, blisters, scratches, redness and swelling. Wash feet daily; always dry carefully between the toes and powder feet lightly to keep them dry. Wash feet daily; always dry carefully between the toes and powder feet lightly to keep them dry. Cut toenails straight across. Cut toenails straight across. Use a good skin lotion to protect your feet from cracking and drying, but not between toes. Use a good skin lotion to protect your feet from cracking and drying, but not between toes.

Amputation Prevention Checklist Don’ts Don’t smoke. Smoking reduces blood circulation; this can lead to the loss of a leg. Don’t cut corns or calluses yourself. Don’t cut corns or calluses yourself. Don’t use caustic chemical agents or any other irritants for the removal of corns and calluses. Don’t use caustic chemical agents or any other irritants for the removal of corns and calluses. Don’t wear open-toed shoes, particularly sandals with thongs between toes or go barefoot. Don’t wear open-toed shoes, particularly sandals with thongs between toes or go barefoot.

Diabetes Management Team Primary Care Physician (Leader) Primary Care Physician (Leader) Podiatric Physician Podiatric Physician Dentist Dentist Ophthalmologist/Optometrist Ophthalmologist/Optometrist Registered Dietician/Nurse Registered Dietician/Nurse YOU! YOU!

Diabetes Early Detection A simple foot exam can reveal signs and symptoms of diabetes, and identify more serious complications that could lead to lower-limb amputations. Regularly have feet checked for signs and symptoms of the disease by a podiatrist.

For More Information For more information or to locate a local APMA podiatric physician, visit and click on “Find a Podiatric Physician.” Visit to download campaign materials.