Preventive foot care program: a nursing perspective

Severe foot problems often develop from minor abnormalities that are preventable. It is crucial for nurses to understand and practice the principles of preventive foot care for elderly patients, both diabetic and non-diabetic. It is also important for nurses to distinguish between lesser foot problems that can easily be treated and more serious conditions that require referral to a specialist. This article includes practical applications for a foot care program from a nursing perspective and discusses pathophysiology of foot injuries, foot assessment using a screening tool and the Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments test, procedural techniques for nail and callus care using a cordless rotary tool, and nurses' qualification for providing nail care.