Curso de Feridas - Pé diabetico

Summary

This video, presented by Lívia, a nurse and specialist in family health, addresses diabetic foot care. It highlights the neurological and vascular changes that occur in the feet of people with diabetes, particularly focusing on diabetic neuropathy. Lívia explains how to recognize symptoms like dryness, fissures, and calluses, and emphasizes the importance of regular foot exams using tools like the 10g monofilament. Proper care, such as wearing the right shoes, keeping feet moisturized, and avoiding hot compresses, is essential to prevent ulcers and complications like amputations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Diabetic foot refers to a combination of neurological and vascular changes affecting the feet of people with diabetes.
• 😀 The main cause of diabetic foot is diabetic neuropathy, which results from high blood glucose levels, leading to loss or reduction of foot sensitivity.
• 😀 Sensory neuropathy leads to loss of sensation in the feet, making individuals unaware of injuries, increasing the risk of unnoticed damage.
• 😀 Motor neuropathy is linked to muscle atrophy and weakened nerves, often causing foot deformities and calluses, which are early signs of repetitive pressure.
• 😀 Autonomic neuropathy affects the sympathetic nerves, reducing muscle tone, causing vasodilation, and leading to poor tissue nutrition, resulting in dry, thin skin prone to cracks and tears.
• 😀 Identifying and recognizing symptoms of diabetic neuropathic foot is crucial to prevent severe complications like diabetic ulcers, which can lead to amputations.
• 😀 Regular foot examinations are essential to detect symptoms like dryness, cracks, calluses, and redness, helping to identify risks early.
• 😀 The most recommended test for evaluating foot sensitivity is the 10g monofilament test, which checks for protective sensation by applying pressure at specific foot points.
• 😀 The monofilament must be cleaned with soap and warm water after each use and should rest for 24 hours after examining 10 patients to ensure its longevity, with a lifespan of around 18 months.
• 😀 Other tests for sensory evaluation include thermal sensation tests using heat and cold, as well as vibration and motor sensitivity tests using a reflex hammer.
• 😀 Foot care education is crucial, including advice on avoiding high heels, wearing shoes with smooth interiors, keeping nails clean and trimmed, and moisturizing dry feet to prevent cracks and infections.

Q & A

What is diabetic foot, and what causes it?

Diabetic foot refers to a set of neurological and vascular changes affecting the feet of people with diabetes. The primary cause is diabetic neuropathy, which results from high blood glucose levels. This condition leads to the loss or reduction of foot sensitivity, making it easier for individuals to injure their feet without noticing.

What is sensory neuropathy, and how does it affect the feet?

Sensory neuropathy is a condition where the individual loses the ability to feel pain or temperature in the feet. This loss of sensation makes it difficult for people to notice injuries or discomfort, increasing the risk of foot injuries and infections.

How does motor neuropathy affect the feet?

Motor neuropathy involves the atrophy or weakening of the muscles controlling foot movement. This can lead to foot deformities and abnormal pressure distribution while walking, which may cause calluses or blisters, as the feet are subject to repetitive stress in areas with abnormal movement.

What is autonomic neuropathy, and what impact does it have on foot health?

Autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves that control involuntary functions, leading to reduced blood flow and changes in skin condition. This causes the skin of the feet to become thin, dry, and more susceptible to cracks and tears, increasing the risk of infections.

Why is it important to identify the symptoms of diabetic foot early?

Early identification of symptoms such as dryness, cracks, calluses, and redness helps prevent the formation of diabetic ulcers, which can lead to more severe complications, including amputations. Timely intervention can significantly improve foot health and prevent further complications.

What is the recommended screening test for diabetic foot sensitivity?

The most commonly recommended test for screening diabetic foot sensitivity is the 10-gram monofilament test. It involves applying a monofilament to different areas of the feet to assess the patient’s ability to feel pressure, which helps evaluate the risk of developing foot ulcers.

How is the monofilament test performed?

The monofilament test involves applying the 10-gram monofilament to specific points on the foot with enough pressure to cause a bend in the filament. The patient is asked to close their eyes and respond if they feel the pressure, helping to assess protective foot sensation.

How should the monofilament be maintained and cleaned?

The monofilament should be cleaned after each use with liquid soap and warm water. It should be rested for 24 hours after testing on 10 patients to maintain its functionality. The monofilament has a lifespan of approximately 18 months, but it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance.

What other tests can be used to assess diabetic foot health?

In addition to the monofilament test, other methods to assess diabetic foot health include thermal sensitivity testing (using heat and cold) and vibratory sensitivity tests. These tests help assess different aspects of foot sensation and the risk of injury.

What are some important foot care recommendations for people with diabetes?

People with diabetes should take steps such as avoiding tight shoes, keeping nails trimmed, moisturizing feet regularly, and drying them thoroughly, especially between the toes, to prevent infections. It is also recommended to avoid walking barefoot and using hot water bottles directly on the feet.