The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) was founded in 1912 and is the leading source of foot and ankle medical information. Complications of the legs and feet are the number one cause of lower extremity amputations and one of the most frequent complications of diabetes. Seemingly minor foot conditions can easily escalate to limb-threatening infections without proper care. Prevention is a large part of the battle against diabetic foot complications, with both the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and American Podiatric Medical Association recommending regular screenings and examinations.
American Podiatric Medical Association – Providing Expert Care
A study published in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association titled “The Economic Value of Specialized Lower-Extremity Medical Care by Podiatric Physicians in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers”, concluded that the specialized knowledge of podiatrist significantly reduced the economic costs of diabetic foot ulcers. The study found that diabetic patients that visited a podiatrist once in the year proceeding a diabetic foot ulcer had a $19,686 reduced medical cost with commercial insurance plans and $4,271 reduced medical costs with Medicare over a three year period than those who did not see a podiatrist. More impressive is the estimated overall national savings over three years if every at-risk diabetes patient visited a podiatrist one year preceding the onset of a diabetic ulcer. The study conservatively places the savings at $10.5 billion.
In a separate Duke University Study published in Health Services Research found that patients with diabetes were less likely to have a lower extremity amputation if they had a podiatrist as part of their medical team. Patients who only saw a podiatrist also had a lower risk of lower extremity amputation than those who did not.
American Podiatric Medical Association – Specialty Programs
Statistically Latinos are at a 66% increased risk of developing diabetes. In order to address the risks to the Latino community, the American Podiatric Medical Association began an awareness campaign, advertising in the magazine Latina and providing information on diabetes and management on their website in English and Spanish (http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/News/Campaigns/Diabetes.aspx).
The APMA website has a buyers guide with a wide variety of products that are approved by the association. To find American Podiatric Medical Association recommended shoes, you can search under “Footwear”. There are a list of different types and styles of footwear ideal for foot health. Good footwear is particularly important for diabetics as ill-fitting shoes can cause calluses, bunions, corns, blisters, and can lead to further infection and complications. Exercise is also important for diabetics and the American Podiatric Medical Association has a special resource for running shoes, guiding you to shoes and accessories that keep you injury free.
