Risk factors for diabetic feet

PATIENTS with diabetes mellitus often have trouble with their feet. High blood sugar levels over a period of time causes damage to the nerves – peripheral neuropathy – leading to a loss of feeling in the extremities. Damage also occurs to the blood vessels of the feet.  

In the first instance, the loss of feeling in your extremities makes you prone to injury. Initially, there is blistering, and then ulcers may develop. If these get infected, they progress to gangrene and you may end up in hospital and may need an amputation because of the ischaemic ulceration and infection.