Diabetic Foot Care That Protects You

What You Need To Know

Understanding diabetic foot health and why regular evaluations matter.

Diabetic Foot Care and Evaluation

Diabetics are prone to poor circulation, have a weakened immune system, and impaired nerve function in their feet. Due to poor circulation or lack of sensation, diabetic feet are more susceptible to developing sores and non-healing wounds which may lead to ulcers. These wounds can also develop into serious infections which can lead to amputations, loss of limbs, and even loss of life.

With diabetes, you also have a good chance of developing peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms of this nerve disorder can be pain, numbness, tingling, and burning sensation in your feet. Because sensation may be reduced, small injuries can go unnoticed until they become serious problems.

Having an open wound increases the chances of infection. If you have a non-healing wound on your lower extremity, it is essential that you act to get it healed as quickly as possible to prevent infection and further complications. If you have diabetes, you are especially at risk for complications. The sooner a wound is treated, the greater the patient’s chances are of healing.

If you are diabetic, it is important to have your feet evaluated by a podiatrist. Precision Foot and Ankle Centers recommends that you come in for a comprehensive diabetic foot evaluation, where our podiatrist will use the latest technology to perform a thorough neurologic, vascular, and orthopedic exam.

Treatment, Prevention, and Follow-Up

Once the evaluation is complete, our foot doctor will design a treatment plan specifically for you. If you have diabetes, please make an appointment so that our podiatry team can provide you with the care you need to minimize possible complications.

Our doctors are trained in advanced wound care techniques including total contact casting, the application of skin substitutes, and surgical care to help prevent amputation. When a non-healing wound is present on the foot, ankle, or leg, prompt treatment gives patients the best chance of avoiding infection and further complications.

We emphasize preventative care with the use of bi-annual routine diabetic foot screenings, routine nail and callus care, diabetic shoes, and custom orthotics to help prevent ulcerations and amputation. Consistent preventative visits allow our team to catch small issues, such as calluses, pressure points, or skin changes, before they progress into wounds.

Once the wounds are healed, patients are regularly followed up to help avoid future problems. If you have a non-healing wound on your foot, ankle, or leg, especially if you are diabetic, our podiatry team recommends that you schedule a consultation today for a comprehensive evaluation.