Those who have had amputations for diabetic foot ulcers are greatly at risk for more. Science can help, it turns out, simply by regular measurements of skin temperature. Don’t you love living in the future, as my friend arhpdx always says?
I’m nowhere near that far gone. I just monitor the tingling in my toes, which I can reduce with simple exercises to increase circulation. And I continue to use my waffle cushion, plus ointments and wide bandaids, for the one much less serious sore on my bottom.
And how are you in this holiday season?
VA’s remote temperature monitoring prevents diabetic limb loss
VA’s remote temperature monitoring program encourages Veterans to use the Podimetrics SmartMat in their podiatry care. The mat can detect diabetic foot ulcers [DFUs] or other foot disorders as early as five weeks before they appear.
Diabetes affects about one in four Veterans who receive VA care. For these Veterans, late-detected diabetic foot ulcers could lead to limb amputation. But they can avoid this by taking one simple step…onto an electronic mat each morning.
If the mat detects an increase in temperature greater than 2.2 degrees Celsius at the same location of the foot for two consecutive days, Podimetrics notifies the Veteran and instructs them to check their feet for inflammation or swelling. If the temperature increase continues, Podimetrics alerts the Veteran’s VA podiatrist so they can begin care.
Or, if you have any amount of neuropathy, you can just check your feet every day regardless.
This is too new a product to be covered by Medicare. It costs $3,500. Some insurance may cover it. It’s a deal for the insurers, compared with paying for amputations and further care afterwards.
Watch this space.