AMPUTATIONS and foot wounds can be a major set-back for anyone with diabetes.
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With this in mind, University of Newcastle PhD student Alex Barwick has started a research project focused on diabetes-related foot problems and looking at the best way to treat them. Specifically, she is looking at damaged nerve and blood vessels in feet after exposure to high levels of sugar.
"The contribution of diabetic nerve damage to other foot problems is not well understood," she said.
"This research compares characteristics of people with diabetic nerve damage in the feet to those who don't have nerve damage."
She said this research would allow the medical community to better understand how nerve damage is related to these characteristics and whether it can be used to prevent, identify or treat foot problems.
The research would also improve understanding of the rare disorder Charcot foot, she said.
Charcot foot is a condition that causes a weakening of the bones, which often occurs in people with significant nerve damage.
Ms Barwick is in the middle of a recruitment drive based at the Newcastle Community Health Centre in Hunter Street.
She is on the hunt for about 60 more people with diabetes, especially those with neuropathy (numb feet) and Charcot foot.
Ms Barwick said participation in the study was a great opportunity for locals to have an in-depth assessment of their feet, free of charge.
Participation involves having a bone density scan, a variety of clinical feet tests and maybe a foot scan.
■ To assess your eligibility to be part of the study email Alex Barwick on Alex.Barwick@newcastle.edu.au or phone her on 0432 994 849.