Foot Care

Foot Care

There are approximately two million persons in Canada with diabetes. It is estimated that 4-10% of those with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer.

In other words, 80,000-200,000 Canadians with diabetes will be affected in their lifetime.

The numbers get even worse because statistics show that 14-24% of those persons with diabetes and foot ulcers will require amputation (either a partial foot amputation or a leg amputation) because the ulcer won’t heal. Quality of life is another big concern because persons suffering from a foot ulcer are often reluctant to go out for fear of offending others with the odour or appearance of their feet. Routines are interrupted by the need for daily dressing changes, a situation that may mean waiting around for the visiting nurse. It is not surprising that foot ulcers are one of the biggest fears shared by persons with diabetes. Many people will not realize that they have a potentially limb-threatening injury because they cannot feel the wound until they develop other symptoms like swelling or fever.

Important foot care tips for people with diabetes...

Inspection:
• Look at your feet each day in a place with good light. Use a mirror if you can’t bend over to see the bottoms of your feet. If looking at your feet is hard for you, ask a family member to help.
• Look for dry places and cracks in the skin, especially between the toes and around the heel.
• Check for ingrown toenails, corns, calluses, swelling, sores, or places that are red or pale. If corns, calluses, or other problems persist, see a foot care specialist.

Bathing:
• Wash your feet daily in warm - not hot - water. Before you put your feet into the water, test the temperature with your wrist or elbow to prevent burning your feet.
• Do not soak your feet.
• Use a mild soap and rinse well. Gently dry your feet with a soft towel making sure to dry between the toes.
• Cracks in the skin are places where infection can enter. To soften dry feet and keep the skin from cracking use a mild cream or lotion daily, except between your toes.
• Wear socks that are mostly cotton.

Toenails:
• Cut or file nails to follow the natural curve of your toe. Avoid cutting nails shorter than the ends of your toes. Sharp corners and rough edges of toenails need to be filed with an emery board so they don’t cut the toes next to them.
• Don’t use sharp objects to poke or dig under the toenail or around the cuticle.
• Ingrown toenails or nails that are thick or tend to split when cut should be cared for by a foot care specialist.

Corns and Callouses:
• After washing your feet, gently rub any corns and calloused areas with pumice stone to control buildup. • Avoid using do-it-yourself corn or callous removers. These can cause burns and may harm healthy skin around the problem area.
• Never cut your corns and callouses with a razor blade. This can lead to infections.

Socks:
• Socks should fit well and be free of seams and darns that might reduce the blood supply or cause friction.
• Wear white socks that are mostly natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, to allow skin to breathe.

Shoes:
• Wear shoes or hard-soled slippers to cover and protect your feet. Avoid going barefoot and use common sense about wearing sandals. You should probably avoid thong sandals.
• At the beach, never walk barefoot on hot sand or shells, and put sunscreen on the tops of your feet.
• Choose the best shoes for your activities each day.
• Before you put on your shoes, shake them out and then carefully feel inside for stones or rough spots that might hurt your feet.
• Shop for shoes in midafternoon when feet are largest. Buy shoes that feel good and have room for all the toes to wiggle and be in their natural place. Avoid shoes that are too tight or pinch. Try on both sides, and if one of your feet is slightly larger than the other, buy for the bigger foot. Shoes that don’t fit well can lead to sores, blisters, and calluses.
• The top part of the shoe should be soft and pliable. The lining should not have ridges, wrinkles or seams. The toe area should be round and high to fit your toes. You may need to see an orthotic specialist for inserts, special shoes, or to have your shoes adapted to your feet.
• If your feet are numb, make an outline of each foot from stiff paper to insert in shoes when you are shopping for new ones.
• Break in new shoes slowly by wearing them 1-2 hours a day at first. Change your shoes at least once during the day.

Circulation (Blood Flow):
• Exercise each day.
• If you smoke, quit.
• Wear wool socks and warm, waterproof shoes or boots for outside winter activities.
• Avoid heating pads, hot water bottles, or microwaveable warmers. These can burn the skin. Instead, use wool socks to keep your feet warm.

Treatment of Injuries:
• Look at your feet if you stumble or bump a hard object to be sure that there is no damage.
• If your foot is hurt, don’t keep walking on it- that can cause more damage.
• Treat blisters, cuts, and scratches right away. Wash with soap and water and apply a mild antiseptic. Remember, opening blisters yourself can lead to infection.
• Cover all injuries with a dry sterile dressing.
• If sores do not begin to heal within 2 days, call your doctor.

Algoma Foot Smart
Juanita Wood-Arbus & Monique LaFontaine
426 Bruce St. , Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B LR4
Phone: 705-254-2273
Fax: 705-253-1341
Registered Nurses with Basic, Advanced and Diabetes Certificates. Trained in Orthotic Therapy and Reflexology
No referral required
Some services covered under visit fee, some at additional charge. Initial visit $30.00 subsequent visits $30.00/hour, $25.00/45min, $20.00/half hour
Additional charges for plantar wart treatment $15.00
Common procedures include: nail cutting, removal of callus and corns, treatment of fungus, ingrown nails.
Orthotic measurements taken and proper devices ordered.
Range of foot care supplies available
Patient reports sent to family physician
Located on a bus route
Free parking
Open M 10 am - 5 pm, Tues 9 am - 5 pm, Wed 11 am - 7 pm, Thurs 9 am - 5 pm, Friday-home care visits

Angelic, Elaine, O.T. Reg. (Ont.)
Rehabilitation Centre (back of General Hospital site - rehab entrance)
Sault Area Hospital, Ground Floor, Y, Wing, 969 Queen St. East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2C4
Phone: 705-759-3434 ext. 5427 or 3656
Fax: 705-759-3668
E-mail: angelice@sah.on.ca
Bachelor of Science from School of Rehabilitation, Member of the Sault Area Hospital Interdisciplinary Comprehensive Wound Care Team supervised by Dr. S. Fratesi
Physician referrals required
No fees for services (covered by Ontario Health Insurance) / Charges apply for items such as toe separators, deflective padding, etc.
Customized orthotics fabricated on-site are $250/pair
Advance foot care $15 or less, no charge for corn or callus removal
No charge for nail care of patients with diabetic foot wounds
Common procedures include: advanced nail care, wound debridement, remedial footwear, custom orthotic fabrication, and provision of a variety of healing boots to accommodate dressings and promote healing
Recognized provider for Veterans Affairs Canada, WSIB, Ontario March of Dimes and will advocate for needs through NIHB
Located on a bus route
$2.00 parking fee
Open M - F 8 am - 4 pm

Feet First Pedorthic Nursing Footcare Clinic
Linda Filion & Rhonda Doan
301-170 East St., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 3C6
Phone: 705-949-7324
Certified pedorthic technician, registered practical nurse
No referral required for routine care
$35.00 first visit, follow up $28.00
Common procedures include: nail care, corn & callus reduction, diabetic footcare, health teaching
Pedorthic assessment, diabetic and orthopedic footwear
Casts for footwear made in office, orthotics ordered
Patient reports sent to family physician
Located on a bus route, parking $2.00
Open M-Th 9 am - 5 pm, Fri 9 am - noon

Group Health Centre Chiropody department
Grace Lobert, DCh, Bob Holland, DCh & Gayle Lytham, RN
240 McNabb St., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B 1Y5
Phone: 705-759-1234 Appointments: 705-759-5521
Fax: 759-7469
Email: holland_b@ghc.on.ca
2 Registered Chiropodists and 1 Registered Practical Nurse (who works at ADEC, 83 Willow Avenue)
No referral required
No cost at the present time
Common procedures include: nail care, corns & callus reduction, wart treatment, biomechanical assessment & custom orthotics, ingrown nail care & nail surgery, diabetic education, footcare & footwear advice, ulcer debridement & wound care, shoe modifications
Orthotics $250.00 (at this time), orthotic measurements taken and proper devices ordered.
Patient reports sent to family physician
Located on a bus route
Free parking
Open Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Just Feet Nursing Foot Care Clinic
Lori Cruickshank
685 Queen St. E., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 2C2
Phone: 705-256-8386
Fax: 705-256-8120
Email: JustFeet@on.aibn.com
Registered Practical Nurse - 10 yrs experience in orthotic assessment and gait analysis.
No referral required
$15-$30 per visit DVA, FIHB, and WSIB accepted
Common procedures include: ingrown nails, thick hard to cut nails, cracked heels, corns, callus reduction
Patient reports sent to family physician
Birkenstock sandals 20% retail
Located on a bus route
Free parking
Open Mon, Tues 9 am - 5 pm, Wed 9 am - 1 pm, Thurs 9 am - 5 pm & Fri 9 am - 1 pm
Extended hours and homecare, hospital, extended care available upon request.

PedPAL Foot Care Services, Penny Leishman
154 Bitonti Crescent, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6C 6A9
Phone: 705-759-0542
Registered Practical Nurse with 18 years experience
No referral required
$20 per visit DVA, WSIB, FIHB
Custom made orthotics and orthotic devices
Common procedures include: nail care, corn and callus removal, health teaching, referrals, ingrown nails
Patient reports sent to family physician
Other diabetic supplies available (e.g. socks, lotion, etc.)
Located on a bus route
Free parking
Hours of operation are by appointment, evenings and weekends available
Will visit homes, hospitals, long term care facilities, etc.

Santana Ortho Lab Inc.
John Santana
1496 Wellington St. , Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 2K1
Phone: 705-256-2420
Fax: 705-759-440
Email: johnandmc@shaw.ca
Certified Prosthetic and Orthotic Technician with clinical training in feet
Referral required
Fee for products only, consult free
Orthotics $350.00-$400.00
Custom made orthotics
Patient reports sent to family physician
Open by appointment only 10 am - 4:30 pm
Located on a bus route
Free parking

David Simard, D.Ch. Advanced Medical Care of the Foot and Lower Limb
377 McNabb St., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B 1Y9
Phone: 705-759-8525
Fax: 705-759-0777
Email: fut_doc@hotmail.com
Graduate of the Ontario Chiropody Program
No referral required
Costs are itemized
$35.00 routine appointment or consult, $400.00 custom made orthotics
Common procedures include: diabetic care and education, custom made orthotics, shoes, soft tissue surgery, ingrown toe nail procedures.
Orthotics made on-site
Patient reports sent to family physician
Other diabetic supplies available (eg. socks, lotions etc…)
Multi language clinic – English, French, Finnish, Italian
Additional on-site health care providers include a chiropractor and 2 massage therapists
Certified provider for Indian Affairs and Veteran Affairs
Open Monday to Friday 8 am - 7 pm


	Algoma Diabetes Education & Care Program
		Foot Care


home page / information / financial assistance / eye care / foot care / fitness / pharmacies / diabetes professionals page Foot Care There are approximately two million persons in Canada with diabetes. It is estimated that 4-10% of those with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer. In other words, 80,000-200,000 Canadians with diabetes will be affected in their lifetime. The numbers get even worse because statistics show that 14-24% of those persons with diabetes and foot ulcers will require amputation (either a partial foot amputation or a leg amputation) because the ulcer won’t heal. Quality of life is another big concern because persons suffering from a foot ulcer are often reluctant to go out for fear of offending others with the odour or appearance of their feet. Routines are interrupted by the need for daily dressing changes, a situation that may mean waiting around for the visiting nurse. It is not surprising that foot ulcers are one of the biggest fears shared by persons with diabetes. Many people will not realize that they have a potentially limb-threatening injury because they cannot feel the wound until they develop other symptoms like swelling or fever. Important foot care tips for people with diabetes... *Inspection:* • Look at your feet each day in a place with good light. Use a mirror if you can’t bend over to see the bottoms of your feet. If looking at your feet is hard for you, ask a family member to help. • Look for dry places and cracks in the skin, especially between the toes and around the heel. • Check for ingrown toenails, corns, calluses, swelling, sores, or places that are red or pale. If corns, calluses, or other problems persist, see a foot care specialist. *Bathing:* • Wash your feet daily in warm - not hot - water. Before you put your feet into the water, test the temperature with your wrist or elbow to prevent burning your feet. • Do not soak your feet. • Use a mild soap and rinse well. Gently dry your feet with a soft towel making sure to dry between the toes. • Cracks in the skin are places where infection can enter. To soften dry feet and keep the skin from cracking use a mild cream or lotion daily, except between your toes. • Wear socks that are mostly cotton. *Toenails:* • Cut or file nails to follow the natural curve of your toe. Avoid cutting nails shorter than the ends of your toes. Sharp corners and rough edges of toenails need to be filed with an emery board so they don’t cut the toes next to them. • Don’t use sharp objects to poke or dig under the toenail or around the cuticle. • Ingrown toenails or nails that are thick or tend to split when cut should be cared for by a foot care specialist. *Corns and Callouses:* • After washing your feet, gently rub any corns and calloused areas with pumice stone to control buildup. • Avoid using do-it-yourself corn or callous removers. These can cause burns and may harm healthy skin around the problem area. • Never cut your corns and callouses with a razor blade. This can lead to infections. *Socks:* • Socks should fit well and be free of seams and darns that might reduce the blood supply or cause friction. • Wear white socks that are mostly natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, to allow skin to breathe. *Shoes:* • Wear shoes or hard-soled slippers to cover and protect your feet. Avoid going barefoot and use common sense about wearing sandals. You should probably avoid thong sandals. • At the beach, never walk barefoot on hot sand or shells, and put sunscreen on the tops of your feet. • Choose the best shoes for your activities each day. • Before you put on your shoes, shake them out and then carefully feel inside for stones or rough spots that might hurt your feet. • Shop for shoes in midafternoon when feet are largest. Buy shoes that feel good and have room for all the toes to wiggle and be in their natural place. Avoid shoes that are too tight or pinch. Try on both sides, and if one of your feet is slightly larger than the other, buy for the bigger foot. Shoes that don’t fit well can lead to sores, blisters, and calluses. • The top part of the shoe should be soft and pliable. The lining should not have ridges, wrinkles or seams. The toe area should be round and high to fit your toes. You may need to see an orthotic specialist for inserts, special shoes, or to have your shoes adapted to your feet. • If your feet are numb, make an outline of each foot from stiff paper to insert in shoes when you are shopping for new ones. • Break in new shoes slowly by wearing them 1-2 hours a day at first. Change your shoes at least once during the day. *Circulation (Blood Flow):* • Exercise each day. • If you smoke, quit. • Wear wool socks and warm, waterproof shoes or boots for outside winter activities. • Avoid heating pads, hot water bottles, or microwaveable warmers. These can burn the skin. Instead, use wool socks to keep your feet warm. *Treatment of Injuries:* • Look at your feet if you stumble or bump a hard object to be sure that there is no damage. • If your foot is hurt, don’t keep walking on it- that can cause more damage. • Treat blisters, cuts, and scratches right away. Wash with soap and water and apply a mild antiseptic. Remember, opening blisters yourself can lead to infection. • Cover all injuries with a dry sterile dressing. • If sores do not begin to heal within 2 days, call your doctor. Algoma Foot Smart Juanita Wood-Arbus & Monique LaFontaine 426 Bruce St. , Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B LR4 Phone: 705-254-2273 Fax: 705-253-1341 Registered Nurses with Basic, Advanced and Diabetes Certificates. Trained in Orthotic Therapy and Reflexology No referral required Some services covered under visit fee, some at additional charge. Initial visit $30.00 subsequent visits $30.00/hour, $25.00/45min, $20.00/half hour Additional charges for plantar wart treatment $15.00 Common procedures include: nail cutting, removal of callus and corns, treatment of fungus, ingrown nails. Orthotic measurements taken and proper devices ordered. Range of foot care supplies available Patient reports sent to family physician Located on a bus route Free parking Open M 10 am - 5 pm, Tues 9 am - 5 pm, Wed 11 am - 7 pm, Thurs 9 am - 5 pm, Friday-home care visits Angelic, Elaine, O.T. Reg. (Ont.) Rehabilitation Centre (back of General Hospital site - rehab entrance) Sault Area Hospital, Ground Floor, Y, Wing, 969 Queen St. East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2C4 Phone: 705-759-3434 ext. 5427 or 3656 Fax: 705-759-3668 E-mail: angelice@sah.on.ca Bachelor of Science from School of Rehabilitation, Member of the Sault Area Hospital Interdisciplinary Comprehensive Wound Care Team supervised by Dr. S. Fratesi Physician referrals required No fees for services (covered by Ontario Health Insurance) / Charges apply for items such as toe separators, deflective padding, etc. Customized orthotics fabricated on-site are $250/pair Advance foot care $15 or less, no charge for corn or callus removal No charge for nail care of patients with diabetic foot wounds Common procedures include: advanced nail care, wound debridement, remedial footwear, custom orthotic fabrication, and provision of a variety of healing boots to accommodate dressings and promote healing Recognized provider for Veterans Affairs Canada, WSIB, Ontario March of Dimes and will advocate for needs through NIHB Located on a bus route $2.00 parking fee Open M - F 8 am - 4 pm Feet First Pedorthic Nursing Footcare Clinic Linda Filion & Rhonda Doan 301-170 East St., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 3C6 Phone: 705-949-7324 Certified pedorthic technician, registered practical nurse No referral required for routine care $35.00 first visit, follow up $28.00 Common procedures include: nail care, corn & callus reduction, diabetic footcare, health teaching Pedorthic assessment, diabetic and orthopedic footwear Casts for footwear made in office, orthotics ordered Patient reports sent to family physician Located on a bus route, parking $2.00 Open M-Th 9 am - 5 pm, Fri 9 am - noon Group Health Centre Chiropody department Grace Lobert, DCh, Bob Holland, DCh & Gayle Lytham, RN 240 McNabb St., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B 1Y5 Phone: 705-759-1234 Appointments: 705-759-5521 Fax: 759-7469 Email: holland_b@ghc.on.ca 2 Registered Chiropodists and 1 Registered Practical Nurse (who works at ADEC, 83 Willow Avenue) No referral required No cost at the present time Common procedures include: nail care, corns & callus reduction, wart treatment, biomechanical assessment & custom orthotics, ingrown nail care & nail surgery, diabetic education, footcare & footwear advice, ulcer debridement & wound care, shoe modifications Orthotics $250.00 (at this time), orthotic measurements taken and proper devices ordered. Patient reports sent to family physician Located on a bus route Free parking Open Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Just Feet Nursing Foot Care Clinic Lori Cruickshank 685 Queen St. E., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 2C2 Phone: 705-256-8386 Fax: 705-256-8120 Email: JustFeet@on.aibn.com Registered Practical Nurse - 10 yrs experience in orthotic assessment and gait analysis. No referral required $15-$30 per visit DVA, FIHB, and WSIB accepted Common procedures include: ingrown nails, thick hard to cut nails, cracked heels, corns, callus reduction Patient reports sent to family physician Birkenstock sandals 20% retail Located on a bus route Free parking Open Mon, Tues 9 am - 5 pm, Wed 9 am - 1 pm, Thurs 9 am - 5 pm & Fri 9 am - 1 pm Extended hours and homecare, hospital, extended care available upon request. PedPAL Foot Care Services, Penny Leishman 154 Bitonti Crescent, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6C 6A9 Phone: 705-759-0542 Registered Practical Nurse with 18 years experience No referral required $20 per visit DVA, WSIB, FIHB Custom made orthotics and orthotic devices Common procedures include: nail care, corn and callus removal, health teaching, referrals, ingrown nails Patient reports sent to family physician Other diabetic supplies available (e.g. socks, lotion, etc.) Located on a bus route Free parking Hours of operation are by appointment, evenings and weekends available Will visit homes, hospitals, long term care facilities, etc. Santana Ortho Lab Inc. John Santana 1496 Wellington St. , Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 2K1 Phone: 705-256-2420 Fax: 705-759-440 Email: johnandmc@shaw.ca Certified Prosthetic and Orthotic Technician with clinical training in feet Referral required Fee for products only, consult free Orthotics $350.00-$400.00 Custom made orthotics Patient reports sent to family physician Open by appointment only 10 am - 4:30 pm Located on a bus route Free parking David Simard, D.Ch. Advanced Medical Care of the Foot and Lower Limb 377 McNabb St., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B 1Y9 Phone: 705-759-8525 Fax: 705-759-0777 Email: fut_doc@hotmail.com Graduate of the Ontario Chiropody Program No referral required Costs are itemized $35.00 routine appointment or consult, $400.00 custom made orthotics Common procedures include: diabetic care and education, custom made orthotics, shoes, soft tissue surgery, ingrown toe nail procedures. Orthotics made on-site Patient reports sent to family physician Other diabetic supplies available (eg. socks, lotions etc…) Multi language clinic – English, French, Finnish, Italian Additional on-site health care providers include a chiropractor and 2 massage therapists Certified provider for Indian Affairs and Veteran Affairs Open Monday to Friday 8 am - 7 pm