SLMA NCD Sub-Committee: “How to Protect Your Feet?” Seminar on prevention of Diabetic Foot Disease

Dr. Thusitha Kahaduwa showing  how to conduct a self -foot examination. 

Pix by Nisal Baduge

Paa-Saviya, the centre for limb salvage, Research and Innovations of the  University of Colombo, is currently operating three major projects in relation to the development of  foot care. Those are Customised Insole Project, Diabetic Shoe Project and Prosthetic Limb Project 

By Manjula D. Phillips

The Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Sub-Committee of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA),  continuing its impactful “Healthy Living” initiative,  launched  its fourth dedicated practical seminar titled “Diabetic Foot Disease: How to Protect Your Feet”? which was conducted on Wednesday Nov. 12 at the Paa Saviya-Limb Salvage Centre – UCFM Tower, Colombo.

The main objective of the seminar was to provide the general public and healthcare professionals with live demonstrations of foot self-examination, effective foot care techniques, and vital, practical advice on the use of diabetic shoes and orthoses.

The expert panel for this session consisted of Dr. Thusitha Kahaduwa, Dr. Chaturi Jayawardena, Prof. Mandika Wijeyaratne, Dr.Thushan Gunaratne, Prof. Rizni Cassim and Mr. P.U.Mihiran.

“Feet is very vital when it comes to the living. Recent medical researches have proven that the life expectancy of a living being is getting below average when you lose a leg. The leg is connected to ground through feet. So the feet are always at risk in terms of getting injured more than other parts of the body. So, when you have diabetes,  you get wounds more easily on your feet. On the other hand the wounds you have already do not get cured easily or end up damaging other parts of the feet; one may end up losing a leg,” Vascular and Transplant Surgeon Prof. Mandika Wijeyaratne stated. 

“That reduces the quality of one’s life. It’s  almost like a patient who’s suffering from a cancer. But this will not happen overnight. It takes years. Because of Diabetes, you lose the sensivity as your nerves get damaged. Because of Diabetes,  the shape of the leg becomes abnormal because it affects the bone of the leg. It creates possibilities where you can get wounds more easily on the feet. The shape of the foot goes out of shape. Nerves, Blood Vessels Bones, Joints and Muscles gets damaged because of diabetes,  and this creates possibilities for your feet to get wounded more easily.”

According to Dr. Chaturi Jayawardena, Endocrinologist and Diabetologist attached to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka: “Today, we find patients more often of type II diabetics. We can prevent this type easily. If you are a diabetic patient you should control rice intake,  control the glucose intake, and exercises also need to be added to your life style. Thirty to forty five minutes exercises daily can benefit you immensely,  and you cannot take that benefit from medicine. Once you are diagnosed with diabetes,  you must take medicine as your doctor prescribed. No bad side effects have been identified with the medicines that are prescribed to control diabetes so far, including insulin, and the patients should not be afraid to take those medicines.”

Three major projects

Paa-Saviya, the centre for limb salvage, Research and Innovations of the  University of Colombo, is currently operating three major projects in relation to the development of  foot care. Those are Customised Insole Project, Diabetic Shoe Project and Prosthetic Limb Project.

Under the Diabetic shoe project,  customised orthotic interventions and cosmetic feet solutions are produced which are designed for minor limb amputees, Diabetics, Charcotfeet, limb length discrepancies, and Feet deformities.

The centre is also designing personalised and customised Prostheses as well as  providing Pre Prosthetic training and education.

 Paa –Saviya is also operating customised insole project for diabetic feet which offer personalised support and comfort tailored to unique foot structure. Designed to provide optimal cushioning, arch support, and shock absorption, these insoles help prevent foot complications, heal existing ulcers, improve comfort, and promote overall foot health for those with diabetes.

The prices of these products are cheaper than the prices of those in the local market.