Foot and Leg Problems Contributing factors
- Neuropathy
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Immunocompromise
- Injuries could be:
- Chemical
- Thermal
- Traumatic
Neuropathy—Sensory neuropathy leads to loss of pain and pressure sensation, and
autonomic neuropathy leads to increased dryness and fissuring of the skin. Motor
neuropathy results in muscular atrophy, which may lead to changes in the shape of the
foot.
Peripheral vascular disease—Poor circulation of the lower extremities contributes to
poor wound healing and the development of gangrene.
Immunocompromise—Hyperglycemia impairs the ability of specialized leukocytes to
destroy bacteria. Therefore, in poorly controlled diabetes, there is a lowered resistance
to certain infections.