Horrific video shows dangers of diabetes as patient is left with gaping, bloody hole in her foot
IGNORING symptoms of any condition is never a good idea, but when it comes to diabetes it's vital that people are on alert.
That's especially true when it comes to feet, as those with diabetes are 20 times more likely to be at risk of amputation caused by foot problems.
It was a situation that one woman luckily caught in time - but it still left her with a gaping, bloody hole in the sole of her foot.
The patient went to see Dr Todd Brennan at the Healthy Feet Podiatry clinic in Wesley Chapel, Florida, for help after putting up with it for a year.
He filmed the stomach churning procedure and posted it online to show the dangers of living with diabetes and the treatment needed.
Dr Brennan, 35, explained that the woman was suffering with charcot arthropathy, which can be common in diabetics with a poor immune system.
He then asks the person holding the camera to show the boot that his patient has been wearing.
"That's called a CROW boot - that stands for charcot, restraint, orthodic walker," he says.
"It's basically a huge boot that we throw on her boot that helps and allows her to ambulate while still taking the pressure off her foot."
As he scrapes away at the hole with a scalpel, he continues to explain what he's doing.
Podiatrist's warning
Dr Brennan says: "The white stuff is just moist or wet tissue if you will from drainage, so that's down to a level we'd want. I'll put some medication on it to help dry it out and this area will continue to grow in.
"Overall the original size of the wound was probably about the size of this whole callous.
"We've made headway. It's a slow process because of, one, being diabetic and, two, where it is.
"If it was on the top of her foot for instance it would heal quite a while ago.
You've got to stay on top of it - compliance is very important because without it then it's all for nothing
Dr Todd Brennan
"These are tough to treat but you've got to stay on top of it - compliance is very important because without it then it's all for nothing.
"Diet control is important, watching your sugars, you don't want them to be in the 300s, but in essence we get it down to a good healthy base and then we progress from there.
"I'm going to wrap her up here now," he says as he pads the hole with gauze.
Dr Brennan adds: "A wet to dry gauze is a really old school basic way to heal an area.
"In essence, you take a wet gauze and then put a dry one over it - just like the name of it sounds - and then you wrap it up."
He then wraps her foot with a bright red gauze.
Symptoms of charcot arthropathy include the foot feeling hot and painful, and looking swollen or red.
It's diagnosed and treated in hospital so if you're concerned it's best to see a doctor as soon as possible.
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