“Every 30 seconds someone around the world is losing a part of one’s foot due to diabetics which can be easily avoided with preventive checks and comprehensive treatment”, Dr G Arun Maiya, Professor and Head, Centre for Diabetic Foot-care and Research, Manipal University, said today.

Delivering Smt.Kamalam Ramasamy Udayar endowment oration in physiotherapy at Sri Ramachandra University here, he said with 61 million diabetic patients in India today, which is expected to increase to 89 million in 2020 and 101 million by 2030, diabetic foot-care has become highly specialized. ''Due to abnormal weight distribution on the foot by diabetic patients loss of sensation, muscle weakness and pain develop gradually and when neglected can lead to amputation of toe fingers and the foot itself'', he said.

Diabetic patients should check their foot at least once a year, severe cases once in six months and those with ulcers once a month for preventive and corrective treatment. The problem could be corrected with optimally fitted special footwear with cushioned insoles and remember to try the correct fitness only in the evening when the foot would have swollen a little. Widespread awareness, early risk assessment, aggressive treatment and lifestyle modification could prevent amputation of the limbs, Dr Maiya said.