KOCHI: Foot infection resulting in amputation is the most disastrous complication of diabetes affecting about 15-30 per cent of diabetic patients. Experts say many of the doctors who manage diabetes and diabetic foot infections here have not received much training during their under-graduate and post-graduate curriculum which impacts the care rendered.
"Diabetic foot surgery is an upcoming specialty in India. There are a number of simple skills to care for patients with insensate feet secondary to diabetic neuropathy, and there are simple surgical techniques which are not taught in a focused manner during the MBBS course. The Diabetic Foot Society of India has repeatedly made representations to the Medical Council of India (MCI) to give more importance to diabetic foot in the under-graduate and post-graduate training so that doctors will be better equipped to provide quality care in this area," said Dr. Arun Bal, president, Diabetic Foot Society of India.
The podiatric surgery department in the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) here is one of the few centres of excellence in India in this field. "Diabetic foot surgery and modern management of diabetic foot problems are not given any prominence in our graduate and under-graduate medical courses and so young doctors have very limited exposure and skills in managing such patients. This is a great irony since we have many millions of people with diabetes and the burden of diabetic foot disease is very great in our country where diabetes is the commonest cause of amputations. Proper and efficient medical care with use of the latest technology and innovative treatment methods can prevent amputations in the majority of cases," said Dr. Harish Kumar, Professor and HOD, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Podiatric Surgery, AIMS.
"In the light of this, the Diabetic Foot Society of India along with Department of Endocrinology & Podiatry, AIMS, in cooperation with IMA, Edappally, is organising a one-day workshop on practical approach to diabetic foot management here on Sunday. As most of the diabetic patients in our state are managed by primary care physicians and surgeons, such workshops are important," said Dr Harish Kumar.
