Foot Care

What Can Cause Foot Problems

• Poorly fitting shoes, slippers or boots.
• Shoes with high narrow heels, slippery soles, "sticky" soles or poor support.
• Some conditions, such as diabetes and poor circulation, can cause loss of feeling in your feet.
• Poor posture.
• Untreated foot problems like calluses, bunions, corns, untrimmed toenails, or ingrown toenails.
• Swollen feet.

What you can do

• Wear proper fitting supportive shoes with low broad heels.
• Make sure your footwear is in good repair.
• Talk with a foot specialist about calluses, bunions, corns, or ingrown toenails. Corn plasters are not recommended for people with diabetes, heart or blood vessel disease.
• If your shoes are loose and you can't afford a new pair, buy insoles or wear extra socks.
• DO NOT wear socks on linoleum or tiled flooring.
• Buy slippers that fit properly and are enclosed around the heels.
• Wear loose socks or stockings. Knee highs can cut off your circulation in your legs and numb your feet.
• If your feet are swollen, put them up when sitting or lying down.
• See a professional foot-care specialist every 4-5 weeks for toenail cutting if you can't do it yourself.

Contct

Physiotherapy Department: Arcola - 455-2628, Estevan 637–2410, Fillmore/Stoughton - 722-3249, Kipling - 736-2845, Redvers 452-6377, Weyburn 842-8443	Home Care Services: West: (306) 842-6870 East: (306) 455-2116 South: (306) 637-3630	Diabetic Nurse Educator: Tel: (306) 453-2319