The Importance of Diabetic Foot and Wound Care
Jul 16, 2024
Your eyes, kidneys, skin, nerves, and heart all need extra attention when you have diabetes. So do your feet. Why? Many diabetic complications that affect your circulation, nerve health, and ability to heal affect your lower extremities — specifically, your feet — first.
At Metroplex Foot and Ankle, LLP, in Dallas, Garland, and Richardson, Texas, our expert team specializes in conditions that affect the feet and ankles, including diabetes. We aim to catch diabetic issues long before they undermine your lower extremity health and mobility.
Read on to learn why taking care of your feet is so important when you have diabetes — and find out what we do to support your efforts.
Diabetes can affect foot health in several ways, some of which can eventually impair your mobility and lead to life-threatening infections or amputation.
Fortunately, a few minutes of attention daily and routine diabetic care with a Metroplex Foot and Ankle, LLP, specialist can help prevent complications, including:
People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing infections due to several factors, including reduced blood flow and impaired immune response. High blood sugar levels can impair the body’s ability to heal and fight off infections, making even minor cuts, blisters, or abrasions potentially dangerous.
Without proper care, these minor issues can escalate into serious infections that are difficult to treat. Inspecting your feet daily, wearing appropriate footwear designed to prevent irritation, and early treatment and care can prevent these life-altering complications.
Diabetes often leads to poor circulation, with issues often showing up in the feet first. Reduced blood flow can slow the healing process, making it harder for the body to repair wounds.
Poor circulation can also cause nerve damage, known as diabetic neuropathy, which can gradually result in a loss of sensation in the feet. Without the ability to feel pain, individuals may not notice injuries or wounds until they become severe.
Neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. This condition affects the peripheral nerves that provide sensation and motor (movement) signals to the brain. Diabetic neuropathy usually starts in the feet or hands, with symptoms moving up the legs or arms as the condition progresses.
Common symptoms include numbness, tingling, and pain. However, the loss of sensation is just as concerning. This means that people with diabetes might not feel a blister, cut, or sore, allowing it to worsen without them being aware. Regular foot inspections are crucial to identify and treat problems early.
Diabetic foot ulcers are open sores that can develop on the feet. They are often caused by minor injuries that go unnoticed due to neuropathy and poor circulation.
If not properly treated, these ulcers can become infected and lead to severe complications, including tissue death (gangrene) and widespread systemic infection (sepsis).
In extreme cases, untreated foot ulcers can necessitate amputations. According to the American Diabetes Association, about 85% of diabetes-related amputations are preceded by foot ulcers.
Caring for your feet starts with effective diabetes management and daily inspections that allow you to spot problems early before infection or other problems occur.
Regular visits to a podiatrist are also essential for people with diabetes. Our team at Metroplex Foot and Ankle, LLP, provides specialized diabetic foot care, treating ulcers and other problems before they become severe.
Your Metroplex specialist also provides medically sound guidance on trimming toenails correctly, proper daily hygiene, selecting diabetes-friendly footwear, and other self-care tips for protecting your feet.
Is it time for your next diabetic foot care visit? Our team is here to help — call or click online to schedule an appointment at Metroplex Foot and Ankle, LLP, today.