I wanted to note that our runner-up for the DiabetesMine Design Challenge Grand Prize was an item called FootSafe. Please watch the video, which is both compelling and heart-wrenching:
As noted, picking our winner was an extremely difficult decision, because for those patients effected, diabetic neuropathy and the damage it can do is horrific. To make that point, Dr. Steven Edelman even emailed this photo to the rest of the Judges’ Panel (I’m making it small here to avoid turning your stomach; enlarge at your own risk):
We think the FootSafe product has tremendous potential to help identify problems early and avoid this kind of erosion. However, we weren’t entirely sure if: 1) the scanning technology is sensitive enough for good accuracy, and 2) which patients would actually be able to afford a home solution like this — even with dubious partial insurance reimbursement.
Also, Medgadget Editor Michael Ostrovsky pointed out that some very similar products, one even using thermal analysis of the foot sole, are already under development, if not maybe so elegantly packaged.
Nevertheless, FootSafe is an excellent concept, and we wish that team much success in developing it for widespread use. Meanwhile, I beg you all to take good care of your diabetic feet!
This is a really sensitive subject, because we are (I think) all afraid of dealing with complications like this.
I think it is a great idea, but there is also a need for being able to look at surfaces of the entire foot (around the edges, between toes, etc), which are difficult even for a young, mostly healthy and able man like me.
I think we are all also very stubborn when it comes to foot stuff, trying first to self-medicate, hoping that it is nothing serious. But, as we can see, things get out of control very quickly.
Thanks for posting Amy!
I just wanted to share that in a related story, Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) recently introduced the Prosthetic and Custom Orthotic Parity Act of 2009 (PCOPA) that will assure access to appropriate orthotic and prosthetic devices to people, including those living with diabetes, by providing fair insurance coverage – something the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association supports!
http://www.aopanet.org/hot_op_issues/index.php#2479 for more info!
Yikes – the photo is REALLY SCARY!!!!
Ugh. Scary statistics, scary complications, and even the longevity of a T1 Supreme Court Justice nominee questioned. Am I the only who’s not so sure this gory photo serves a great purpose here?
How to deal with the horrors of vascular complications: glycemic control. Keep your A1c under 6 and I don’t think this is in your future.
Awesome information!
I think that the diabetics are predisposed to having foot problems. Reduced circulation throughout the limbs can lead to numerous ailments.
I work with the National Diabetes Education Program. It offers a couple great resources to help people avoid foot complications as a result of diabetes. The guides aren’t as technically complex as the device above, but since they are free you won’t have to worry about insurance reimbursement!
http://ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/Feet_HCGuide.pdf
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