Sepsis (also known as septicaemia or blood poisoning) is a rare but potentially life threatening condition caused by your immune system fighting an infection which has entered your blood stream. Your body’s immune response to this infection causes widespread inflammation. The blood clotting that sepsis causes can reduce blood flow to limbs and internal organs.
Sepsis
Jody Templeton • April 20, 2020
Sepsis is the body's overwhelming and life threatening response to systemic infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.
Why is this relevant to Podiatry?
Localised infection of a wound or cut can quickly escalate into sepsis. Some common conditions seen within the Podiatry clinic have the potential to develop into sepsis, it is therefore important to seek timely treatment from your Podiatrist for these.
Foot pathology which could develop into Sepsis:-
- Ingrowing toenails;
- Foreign bodies embedded in the skin;
- Ulcers/non healing wounds;
- Athletes foot
- Insect bites;
- Blisters;
- Diabetic foot wounds.
Symptoms of Sepsis
It is important to know that not everyone with sepsis has a high temperature, sometimes you simply feel unwell. Symptoms can include:
- Feeling generally unwell
- Fever/Chills
- Very low body temperature
- Urinating less than usual
- Rapid pulse
- Rapid breathing
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Risk factors for developing sepsis?
Anybody can get sepsis but some people are more at risk of developing it than others. Seek urgent medical attention if you feel unwell and have any of the risk factors mentioned below:-
- Patients with a reduced immune system due to medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, kidney disease or cancer for example.
- Patients with a reduced immune system due to medication such as steroids, chemotherapy and certain rheumatoid arthritis medications.
- Babies younger than one year old.
- The elderly (over 75 or frail).
- People with diabetes.
Treatment options?
If you are concerned that you have any kind of infection it is important to seek urgent professional advice from an appropriate healthcare professional. This could be your Podiatrist, GP, pharmacist or NHS 111. Your Podiatrist can supply oral antibiotics for localised infections of the lower limb and manage the site of infection for you. If you have a more serious infection which has spread more systemically i.e. sepsis then urgent hospital attention is required. You will have blood tests taken, be closely monitored and receive intravenous fluids and antibiotics.
More information on Sepsis can be found on the NICE (National Institute for Healthcare Excellence) website: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng51/chapter/Recommendations
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When looking after your feet it is i mportant to vary your footwear to ensure you are suitably supported.
Achilles Tendinopathy is a common condition which causes pain and sometimes inflammation along the back of the leg near the heel. Achilles tendinopthy is caused by repetitive or intense strain on the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. This tendon is used when you walk, run, jump or push up on your toes. The structure of the Achilles tendon weakens with age, which can make it more susceptible to injury — particularly in people who may participate in sports only on the weekends or who have suddenly increased the intensity of their running programs. It is important to note that not all heel pain is achilles tendinopathy and not all achilles tendinopathies are treated the same. Overview A patient came into the Plymouth Podiatry clinic after being requested by her employer to seek the help of a Podiatrist at their cost. The patient's ability to work had been impacted by the pain she had been experiencing in her feet for the past 12 months. The patient presented with significant pain and inflammation at the point of insertion of the achilles tendon into the heel. She had sought help from her GP in the past, who had prescribed some stretches but these had not helped and her condition was worsening. Treatment Following an in depth Musculoskeletal Assessment at Plymouth Podiatry, we were able to come up with an accurate diagnosis of her condition. We were also able to identify some functional abnormalities which were likely to be causing the tendinopathy. Knowing the patients condition and identifying the cause enabled us to create a successful treatment plan which enabled the patient to return to work comfortably within 6 weeks. This patient's treatment plan involved some rest, and topical anti inflammatories alongside the correct exercise plan. We also prescribed a pair of bespoke orthotics which her employers were happy to pay for. I immediately informed the patient to stop the exercises prescribed by her GP as these were likely to be making her condition worse. Outcome The patient carried out the treatment plan while waiting for her orthotics to arrive. Her condition improved steadily until she was finally able to return to work pain free wearing her orthotics.
After 10 years of suffering with a painful wart on her hand, we successfully treated it with Verrutop.
Orthotics are special shoe or heel inserts that are custom-made specifically for you to treat foot, leg or back pain .
