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[ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

Elements of APMA's "Knock Your Socks Off" campaign: How to perform a diabetic foot exam

Joseph Caporusso, DPM, Complete Family Footcare, 812 lindberg Ave., McAllen, TX 78501, 956.971.9107, aehaer@apma.org

Last year, diabetes contributed to close to 82,000 amputations. Podiatrists are often the first doctors to diagnose diabetes since the feet can show signs and symptoms of serious systemic conditions. However, the feet are frequently overlooked during annual checkups. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has embarked in a nationwide diabetes campaign called “Knock Your Socks Off” to educate patients and primary care physicians about the importance of early diabetes detection through simple foot screenings. In a roundtable discussion, Dr. Joseph Caporusso, an APMA Board of Trustees Member and APMA Public Education & Information Committee Chair, will:

·Emphasize the importance of identifying those “at risk” for diabetic complications such as foot ulcers and neuropathy. ·Explain how to perform three types of diabetic foot screenings: visual, comprehensive and sensory exams. ·Analyze what method of treatment would be best for the patient based on the foot exam outcome. ·Discuss how to reach out to “at risk” patients with diabetes educational materials. Participants can understand how to: ·Identify who is a candidate for a diabetic foot exam. ·Apply a diabetic foot exam in routine patient check-ups. ·Recognize the value of integrating diabetes educational materials into patients' care. At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: ·Perform three types of diabetic foot exams based on patients' needs. ·Distribute diabetes educational materials to patients. ·Refer patients to a podiatric physician based on foot exam results.

Learning Objectives:

  • Last year, diabetes contributed to close to 82,000 amputations. Podiatrists are often the first doctors to diagnose diabetes since the feet can show signs and symptoms of serious systemic conditions. However, the feet are frequently overlooked during annual checkups. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has embarked in a nationwide diabetes campaign called “Knock Your Socks Off” to educate patients and primary care physicians about the importance of early diabetes detection through simple foot screenings. In a roundtable discussion, Dr. Joseph Caporusso, an APMA Board of Trustees Member and APMA Public Education & Information Committee Chair, will