"Knock Your Socks Off" Campaign for Diabetes

APMA Urges Americans To "Knock Your Socks Off" At Every Doctor's Visit

Preventative Foot Screenings Could Reduce
Diabetic Foot Amputations 45 to 85 Percent

Published by APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association, Inc)

Bethesda, MD – Did you know diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic foot amputations each year? The feet often show the first signs of more severe medical conditions, such as diabetes, but they often are overlooked by primary health care physicians. The American Podiatric Medical Association’s “Knock Your Socks Off” campaign encourages patients to ask their primary healthcare physician to examine their feet as part of their regular check-up.

“All too often, people have symptoms of diabetes, such as numbness in the feet, and don’t even know it,” says APMA President Dr. Lloyd Smith. “Early detection is paramount and something as simple as taking your shoes and socks off for a foot screening could assist in diagnosis of diabetes earlier.”

Close to 5.2 million people in the U.S. have diabetes and don’t even know it, according to the American Diabetes Association. With foot disease as the most common complication of diabetes leading to hospitalization, the American Podiatric Medical Association suggests looking for these foot-related diabetes warning signs:

·         Redness

·         Numbness

·         Swelling

·         Cold to the touch due to a lack of blood circulation

·         Inflammation

Out of the 13 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S., 60 to 70 percent have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which often includes impaired sensation or pain in the feet and hands. For this very reason, the American Podiatric Medical Association has selected the “Knock Your Socks Off” campaign to raise awareness about the importance of having feet, like any other part of the body, checked regularly

If you’re Diabetic, please call for a FREE Diabetic Foot Screening with the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center @ 702-878-2455 and mention this ad (this does not include treatment or X-Rays)

Please call the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center office anytime @702-878-2455 between Monday – Friday and we would be happy to set up an appointment for you.  Please visit our website @ www.FallCenter.com  The Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center has Diagnostic imaging:  Digital X-Rays, Ultrasound or Advanced Imaging will be used to aid in the diagnosis.

Dr. Anthony Ricciardi at the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center has completed training in endoscopic/minimally invasive surgery for chronic heel pain and nerve pain, foot and ankle joint replacement for restoring pain free motion, arthroscopic surgery, bunion surgery, fracture repair, flat foot correction, external fixation for complex deformities and extensive experience in peripheral nerve surgery including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and reconstructive surgery of previously failed foot surgical procedures.  In addition to his surgical training Dr. Ricciardi focuses on sports medicine of the foot and ankle through regenerative techniques using the patient’s own blood/platelets for healing chronic foot and ankle problems (pain) as a result of repetitive sport injuries.  This cutting edge technology enables patients to continue training with little or no down time.  Dr. Ricciardi continues to be active in teaching and training other podiatric surgeons on innovative surgical techniques in foot surgery.  Dr. Ricciardi is Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and Fellow of the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons.  Dr. Ricciardi’s vision is to bring each patient the most current state of the Art Technology and personalized treatment options to meet their Foot and Ankle needs (from conservative care to surgical options).  Dr. Ricciardi believes in quality service and puts his patients first!