| Diabetes related complications are the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations in the United States. Approximately 23.6 million Americans (7.8%) and 246 million people worldwide (5.9%) have diabetes mellitus. Complications of diabetes include heart disease, stroke, hypertension, renal disease, retinopathy, peripheral arterial disease, and peripheral neuropathies. Peripheral neuropathy can lead to an insensate foot, non-healing foot ulcers and an increased risk of amputation. In 2004, more than 71,000 lower extremity amputations were performed due to complications of diabetes in the United States alone. The average cost for hospitalization for a lower limb alone was $30,422; professional fees, rehabilitation, and outpatient follow-up care represent an additional financial burden for patients and the health care system. This comparatively high incidence of limb amputation in persons with diabetes is deemed preventable with appropriate education and foot and nail care. Ten nurses were conveniently selected to participate in a study that examined the effectiveness of a foot model as a teaching tool. The study found there was a significant difference with the participants' teaching practice when the foot model was utilized as a visual aid to demonstrate information in the areas of foot and lower limb anatomy and physiology, biomechanics of ambulating, sensory and autonomic neuropathy and its effect on the foot and skin care. |
