This week, in Weird patient, a sixty-year-old who had three toes amputated and discovered he had type 2 diabetes, all because he stepped on a sea urchin. A rare case of initial diagnosis post-diabetic foot syndrome.
It’s called starting the day on the wrong foot: when this sixty-year-old German decides to go on vacation to the seaside, he is far from suspecting the turn his stay will take. In question: a sea urchin placed in his path and on which he will walk. Once at the hospital, the patient is examined from every angle. No fever, no infection… once the thorns are removed and a prescription for antibiotics in hand, our vacationer heads home.
But, 17 days later, he was admitted to the emergency room again: his foot, swollen and red, had three necrotic toes. A serious diagnosis which leads him directly to the operating room. On the agenda: amputation so that the gangrene, already established, does not spread. What could have happened?
A rare case of diabetes diagnosis thanks to diabetic foot syndrome!
This is in fact a rare case of diagnosis of diabetes thanks to an episode of ” syndromesyndrome of the foot diabeticdiabetic on vacation,” reports this study published on Univadis last March. In fact, people with diabetes are more likely than others to suffer foot injuries while on vacation. In question: several factors.
THE diabetesdiabetes can damage the nervesnerves, which leads to a reduction in sensitivity in the feet. Patients are then more likely not to notice an injury. Added to this is impaired blood circulation which reduces the body’s ability to heal wounds, increasing the risk of infections.
However, on vacation, our feet are put under much greater strain than normal, which can increase the risk of injury, especially if the feet are exposed to rough surfaces or unsuitable shoes, particularly in the case of people with diabetes. . It is also more common to walk barefoot, which can quickly deteriorate when the sensitivity of the soles of the feet is reduced.
Diabetic foot = Amputation? NO ! Response from a podiatrist. © Allopodo, YouTube
Type 2 diabetes, an underdiagnosed condition
This is exactly what happened to this patient, who was unaware that he had type 2 diabetes: these factors slowed down the healinghealing normal of his wound, which ended up becoming infected and necrotic, leading to amputation. A mishap which at least allowed this man to be taken care of for his illness.
If the latter played a role in the development of the injury, the fact remains that the health risk presented by sea urchins is still too underestimated, believes the author of the study. The thorns of some speciesspecies are notably covered with toxinstoxins which can persist in the flesh, even after cleaning the wound.
The case of the vacationer, however infrequent it may be, is not isolated and highlights the frequency of underdiagnosis of type 2 diabetes, the warning signs of which must be better known and monitored.
