Gain by avoiding foot pain

Foot specialist MS KV Kavitha shares why annual foot check-ups are crucial and help protect your well-being.

- Ms KV Kavitha

A case study

Mr John ( name changed), 55 years old, had Diabetes for the last eight years. He followed a healthy lifestyle. Diabetes had neither stopped him from living his life to the fullest nor had it interfered with his education, work or social life. Due to his family history of Diabetes, he accepted the diagnosis with equanimity. Mr John, a chemistry graduate travels frequently for work. He quit smoking 10 years ago after being a smoker for 25 years. He exercised regularly and went to a yoga class thrice a week. He enjoyed taking an hour long walk everyday.

Mr John and his wife visited their son who lived abroad. During this trip, Mr John toured several historical monuments which required extensive walking. He also kept up his daily exercise routine to maintain his good health. During a morning walk with his son, he experienced severe pain after walking 100 meters. The pain originated in the back side of the left calf muscle and spread to the soles of his feet as a burning sensation. He could not move his leg forward. His son asked him to rest on a park bench. After sitting for a few minutes, Mr John felt better.

To avoid the risk of further pain they took a taxi home. Mr John rested for the next few days but the pain did not go away. He continued to experience pain after short walks. The pain would alleviate when he rested but reappeared after he started walking. These symptoms did not subside. Worried, his son took Mr John to a nearby hospital. Upon hearing his medical history, the doctor recommended Mr John to get his legs checked for blockages.