Preventing Falls and Foot

Wounds in DiabetesDon Pelto, DPM

Central Massachusetts Podiatry, PC

Worcester, Massachusetts

To Learn More Visit

www.DrPelto.com

Diabetes Toolkit

Preventing Falls

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Part 1: Preventing Falls

• What is the leading cause of injury deaths

among older adults?

What is injured in a fall?

• Hip

• Head

• Bones

Where do falls occur?

• Inside the house

(55%)

– Bedrooms (30%)

– Living Rooms (31%)

– Kitchens (19%)

– Bathrooms (13%)

– Hallways (10%)

• Outside but near the

house (23%)

Risk Factors You May Have

• Neuropathy – lack of feeling in foot

• Ankle Instability –weakness in the ankle

• Weakness – in muscles in thigh and legs

• Vision Problems –

macular

degeneration, poor

sight, glaucoma

• Foot Deformities –

bunion, hammertoe,

painful feet

Risk Factors Around You

• Environmental

Hazards – water, ice,

rug

• Obstacles – items on

floor

• Medications with side

effects – high blood

pressure, seizure,

diabetes, emotional

problems, pain

• Improper shoegear

and long clothing

Fall Risk Plan

• Assistive Devices

• Physical/Occupational

Therapy

• Primary Care

• Podiatric Evaluation

Moore Balance Brace

• Easy to put on

• Light weight

• Aid in foot clearance

• Custom made to

maximize

somatosensory

feedback

• Eliminates abnormal

motion

Questions to ask

• Have you fallen in the past?

• Do you often slip, trip or have near falls?

• Do you have a fear of falling?

• Do you drag your feet when walking?

• Do you have to touch or hold on to the wall

or furniture while walking?

Part 2: Preventing Diabetic Foot

Problems

Why Should I Listen?

• 1-4% of people with diabetes get ulcers (sores, wounds) every year and 15-25% will get one in their lifetime

• 15% of ulcers lead to amputation

• 85% of amputations start as ulcers

Patient Story

3.5 Ways To Prevent A Foot

Wound

3.5 Ways To Prevent A Foot

Wound1. Examine your feet

daily

3.5 Ways To Prevent A Foot

Wound1. Examine your feet

daily

2. Wear correct size

shoes or diabetic

shoes

3.5 Ways To Prevent A Foot

Wound1. Examine your feet

daily

2. Wear correct size

shoes or diabetic

shoes

3. Have a

professional trim

your calluses

3.5 Ways To Prevent A Foot

Wound3.5. Take

responsibility and

learn more

• Have yearly foot

exam

• Have doctor look at

feet every visit

• Diabetes Toolkit

4 Major Reasons Foot

Wounds

Don’t Heal Fast

1. Blood Sugar – Hemoglobin A1C

2. Poor Circulation - PAD

3. Neuropathy

4. Infection

https://www.postwire.com/page/51781345408f920f4f0001ac/preview

To Learn More Visit

www.DrPelto.com

Diabetes Toolkit

Preventing Falls

Donald Pelto, DPM

don@worcesterfootcare.com

(508) 757-4003