Busy foot doctor expands practice

HOULTON, Maine — Jil A. Beaupain, D.P.M. says she has a “very non-traditional practice” in her work as a doctor of podiatric medicine. “I specialize in the foot — in particular I take care of diabetic feet from little kids to the elderly.”
What is somewhat unique is where she practices: Sherman, Caribou, Millinocket, Houlton and Pennsylvania. The doctor cut back on Madawaska so that she can spend more time “treating patients who can’t get around.” She visits several area nursing homes. “I certainly have a geriatric practice – 70-80 percent are on Medicare which is primarily for the elderly.”
Beaupain, practicing for 20 years, is a graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine, now Temple University. In September, she said she became board certified as a wound specialist and possibly the only such specialist north of Bangor. In treating wounds, the biggest problem she said is identifying the cause which can be from a burn, a laceration, pressure, poor circulation or something else which is key to a successful treatment.
“I’m trained from the knee down,” explained Beaupain who emphatically addressed what some seem to take for granted — their feet. She said the American Orthopedic Association did a study of about 100,000 people several years ago and found that nine out of 10 people wear the wrong size shoe — usually too small. On top of that, they are often, in her experience, wearing the wrong shoe. “If I have a patient 75 or 80 with skin that’s paper thin, I don’t want them in a shoe with leather that’s tougher than their hide. You should not have to break shoes in. And, you should not take off a shoe and see any red spots on your feet.”
Beaupain added that shoes should have arches. “Everything sags. There are 28 bones in each foot. That means half the bones in your body are in your feet. It’s a very complicated mechanism and when the support system starts to age and sag, it all goes.” So, she said, people should wear shoes that actually support their feet. “There are a lot of nice shoes but you have to look at each shoe individually. People are accustomed to going to the local discount department store and buying an inexpensive pair of shoes because money is tight. I tell people you can replace any part of your body except your brain and your feet. You have to take care of them and you have to go to a better shoe.”
Patients with diabetes have special needs. And, according to Beaupain, studies have shown that diabetics who see a podiatrist regularly, not just for emergency care, are 60 percent less likely to have an amputation. “It’s an amazing statistic. That’s because of the manifestations of the disease. Certainly, circulation has a lot to do with it and certainly diabetes often affects circulation. The feet are farthest away from the heart and it gets affected there first.” Nationally, Beaupain continued, if a patient loses a piece of a foot on one side, it means they are already at high risk with a greater likelihood to lose the other foot within 2-3 years.
Beaupain also said she is usually very successful when her patients follow a treatment plan. As for general advice: “Watch for calluses which are an indication of wear and tear. That’s your body trying to protect itself. Calluses are not normal anywhere on your foot.” And, when grooming the foot, the doctor advises patients to avoid digging under their nails. “If you have to clean under your nails, use a brush and make sure you dry between your toes.”
Contact the Houlton office at 532-9790.