June 1, 2002
Complications
Question from Martinsville, Virginia, USA:
My mother, who has type 2 diabetes, has started noticing soreness on the bottom of her feet. Should we be alarmed?
Answer:
Soreness” is rather vague. The character of the pain would be helpful here. If this was a situation where the pain was worse with weight bearing or activity, the pain may be related to a traumatic injury to the foot. If the pain is burning in nature, is perceived to feel like pins and needles, worse at night, these symptoms may be the result of diabetic neuropathy.
If this occurs in association with diabetes, the best course of treatment is to optimize blood sugar control. If this still persists, other medicines can be used. The aggressiveness of therapy is dictated by the severity of the symptoms.
JTL
[Editor’s comment: Also, see Diabetes and Foot Pain at the Diabetes Monitor.
WWQ]
