Playing the Long Game with Diabetes: Prioritizing Foot Health
The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) emphasizes the critical importance of foot health in diabetes management. Individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes face a heightened risk of serious foot complications, including infections and amputations. APMA’s “Playing the Long Game with Diabetes” campaign advocates for early adoption of healthy habits to prevent such outcomes.APMA MAIN+7APMA MAIN+7APMA MAIN+7APMA MAIN+3APMA MAIN+3APMA MAIN+3
Key recommendations include annual visits to an APMA-member podiatrist, or at minimum, regular foot checks by a primary care provider if podiatric access is limited. The APMA provides a suite of resources to support patients in maintaining foot health:APMA MAIN
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Daily Foot Exams: Guidance on conducting simple daily inspections to detect early signs of complications.
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Educational Materials: Tip sheets and videos featuring podiatrists sharing insights on diabetes-related foot care.
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Product Recommendations: A list of APMA Seal-approved footwear and products designed for diabetic foot care.APMA MAIN+1APMA MAIN+1
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Community Engagement: Encouragement to join conversations on social media using the hashtag #PlaytheLongGame.APMA MAIN+4APMA MAIN+4APMA MAIN+4
These resources aim to empower individuals with diabetes to take proactive steps in managing their foot health, thereby reducing the risk of complications.APMA MAIN
Explore the full suite of resources here: APMA Diabetes Awareness
About the Author: Dr. Savannah Santiago, DPM
Dr. Savannah Santiago is a first-year podiatric medicine and surgery resident at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. A 2024 graduate of Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine, she holds a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences and Spanish Language and Culture from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, where she also competed in NCAA cross country and track and field.Pod Patrol+5LinkedIn+5Ascension Medical Education+5WesternU News+2cdn2.podiatry.com+2Ascension Medical Education+2
Dr. Santiago’s personal experiences, including managing her own diabetes diagnosis at 19 and overcoming sports-related injuries, have fueled her passion for podiatry. Her clinical interests encompass reconstructive surgery, limb salvage, pediatric podiatry, sports medicine, and inpatient care.Ascension Medical Education
An active contributor to the field, she authors the “Sole Purpose” blog on PRESENT Podiatry and has been featured on the Pod Patrol podcast. Dr. Santiago also serves as the first Resident Liaison for the American College of Podiatric Medicine (ACPM). Outside the clinic, she enjoys trail running, rollerblading, and exploring farmers markets.session.podiatry.com+4Pod Patrol+4Podiatry+4InstagramAscension Medical Education
Note: This bio is intended for educational purposes and to inform readers about Dr. Santiago’s contributions to the field of podiatric medicine.