An alarming number of people dismiss 'aches and pains' in the legs and feet as signs of 'getting old,' while in fact, it may be something much more serious: diabetes. Ignorance of this condition has led to a sharp increase in lower limb amputations over the years, and doctors want to change that.

New guidelines for health care professionals could lead to significantly fewer foot complications and amputations by changing the way doctors treat the feet of diabetes patients.

The new guidelines from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) introduce two substantial changes since their last publication in 2000: a focus on prevention, and the use of multidisciplinary teams of specialists.

The changes reflect medical evidence from around the world that a multidisciplinary team approach achieves dramatic reductions in complications and amputations in diabetic feet. They also mirror an increasing emphasis on management of chronic diseases like diabetes.

The ACFAS published the guidelines as a supplement to the current issue of the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery.

"These state-of-the-art guidelines give foot and ankle surgeons and other medical professionals a powerful new tool to help improve and maintain the quality of life for millions of people with diabetes," says James L. Thomas, DPM, FACFAS, a Birmingham, Ala. foot and ankle surgeon and president of the ACFAS. "But they don't erase patients' responsibility to manage their disease, inspect their feet daily, and get regular check-ups."

It simply cannot be stressed enough how important it is to be aware of your health. Be sure to read the article, and schedule an appointment with your doctor today if you have any suspicions that you may have diabetic symptoms.