Check 6 Foot Exercises for Diabetic Patients to Do at Home to Improve Circulation and Reduce Risk of Amputation

A foot care guide for diabetic patients, including how to select proper shoes, precautions for soaking feet, and six foot exercises to stimulate blood circulation, reduce wound risk, and prevent foot amputation.

Did you know? High blood sugar harms not only the heart and kidneys but also damages peripheral nerves, causing "numb feet" with loss of sensation. This is the starting point for chronic wounds that may lead to limb loss. Thairath Online summarizes foot care methods and simple exercises that diabetic patients should regularly perform for long-term foot health.

Choosing the right shoes: the first line of defense against wounds.

Diabetic patients should select shoes that fit their feet well. It is recommended to wear "closed-heel shoes" or those with adjustable back straps. Crucially, never walk barefoot, indoors or outdoors, and always check for foreign objects inside shoes before wearing to avoid cuts or punctures.

Six foot exercises to stimulate blood circulation.

Regular foot exercises help strengthen muscles and prevent joint stiffness. The exercises are as follows:

1. Heel raises.

Stand and raise your heels off the ground, count 1-3, then lower them. Repeat 10 times. Elderly individuals should hold onto something to prevent falling.

2. Ankle twists.

Sit with feet lifted off the floor, twist the foot tip left-right, up-down, and rotate in circles, 10 times each.

3. Knee extensions.

Sit with feet dangling, lift the leg to straighten the knee and bend the ankle at a right angle. Count 1-10 and repeat 10 times.

4. Perpendicular leg lifts.

Lie flat on the floor, lift the leg so it is perpendicular to the body, count 1-10, then lower it. Repeat 10 times.

5. Toe flexing.

Sit on the floor with legs straight, flex toes toward the body, count 1-10, then extend outward.

6. Toe exercises.

Sit on a chair, use your feet to crumple and tear paper into small pieces, then gather the pieces with your feet to throw away.

Precautions and warning signs that require medical consultation.

Besides avoiding smoking to prevent vascular narrowing, an important "prohibition" is not to soak feet in hot or cold water, as numb feet can lose moisture or be easily harmed. Also, never cut calluses or corns yourself.

When should you see a doctor before your scheduled appointment?

• If a new wound appears or an existing wound shows swelling, redness, heat, or pus.
• If feet have abnormal temperature (very hot or very cold) or show dark purple discoloration.
• If there is unusual foot pain, which may indicate vascular problems.

Foot care for diabetic patients is not difficult but requires discipline and attention. Choosing suitable equipment combined with regular foot exercises can reduce serious risks and improve patients' quality of life.

Reference: Nursing Department, Ramathibodi Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University.