Footcare for people with profound impairment

Abstract

In this chapter we are concerned with the problems involved in caring for the feet of people with multiple impairments, specifically how to maintain health, comfort, mobility and flexibility in the lower leg and foot. Such people are likely to have problems with their feet for a variety of reasons, including the following:

• 1. A reduced blood supply to the area. This occurs generally because the person is either non-ambulant or has restricted movement and circulation is not encouraged in the lower limb by normal muscular activity.

• 2. Leading on from the reduced blood supply is a marked loss of sensation. This means that a normal response to pain is lacking. Pain is really a warning sign when something is wrong and to be unaware of a problem may mean that it is left uncorrected and can lead to complications.

• 3. There are also problems of communication and the person may have difficulty in expressing the nature of any discomfort, i.e. too hot or too cold. This leaves the carer the task of ascertaining the needs.