While advancements in cancer therapies offer hope, their side effects extend beyond the primary target. Patients undergoing treatments may experience adverse effects on their feet, necessitating podiatric care alongside oncological management.
Here's how cancer therapies can impact foot health:
-
Susceptibility to Infections: Chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy can compromise the immune system, increasing vulnerability to infections. Neutropenia, a common chemotherapy side effect, reduces white blood cell counts, further impairing immune function. Nutritional deficiencies resulting from appetite loss exacerbate the risk, hindering proper wound healing and infection management.
-
Delayed Wound Healing: Cancer treatments disrupt cellular regeneration and inflammatory responses essential for wound healing. Consequently, even minor injuries like blisters may linger, predisposing patients to gangrene and amputation due to prolonged healing times.
-
Radicular Neuropathy: Cancer-related peripheral neuropathy heightens foot pain, numbness, and tingling sensations, impairing sensory perception. Neuropathic individuals may inadvertently injure their feet due to diminished sensation, exacerbating infection risks and complicating wound management.
-
Tumor Effects: Besides treatment-induced complications, tumors themselves can affect foot function, causing pain, limited mobility, and swelling. DrLuigi medical shoes offer relief by providing comfortable support and ergonomic design, ideal for individuals predisposed to lower limb disorders. Their polyurethane insoles and lightweight construction mitigate pressure on the spine and ankles while promoting peripheral circulation.
By recognizing these foot-related implications of cancer therapy and prioritizing podiatric care, patients can better manage treatment-related complications, fostering comprehensive well-being throughout their cancer journey.
