Diabetic Foot

What is a diabetic foot?

People with diabetes are prone to a variety of complications due to the damage high levels of glucose can do to their organs and tissues. One of these is diabetic foot problems.

Diabetes affects the feet in two ways:

Reduced circulation

The flow of blood into your feet brings nutrients, oxygen, and cells that heal damaged tissues. If you have diabetes, your circulation is likely to be more sluggish, so your feet don't get everything they need to stay healthy.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a condition of the nerves that often affects the feet, although it may occur elsewhere. Neuropathy can cause pain, tingling, and other unpleasant sensations but often leads to numbness as well.

The combination of these two problems means that if you injure your foot, you might not notice if diabetic peripheral neuropathy is numbing your nerve endings. At the same time, poor blood flow slows down the rate of tissue healing. A wound that doesn't get cleaned and is slow to heal is ideal for the development of ulcers and infections.

Another potential complication of diabetes is Charcot’s foot, where the bones and soft tissues weaken, causing the foot to change shape. Because of neuropathy, numbness might mean you're oblivious to the changes and could develop sores or even suffer a dislocation.

What are diabetic foot ulcers?

Ulcers are a serious complication affecting the diabetic foot that can be painful, long-lasting, and affect your mobility. Diabetic foot ulcers are open wounds that can be so deep the bone is visible. They're difficult to heal and require expert wound care.

In addition to the pain and disability diabetic foot ulcers cause, the wounds are also vulnerable to infection. An infected ulcer could lead to widespread infection in the tissues and bone, and finally, gangrene, which could require amputation of the foot.

What does diabetic foot care involve?

Diabetic foot care is a partnership between you and Dr. Berlin at Eastside Foot & Ankle Clinic, P.C. You need to care for your feet every day, keeping them clean and dry and checking for any damage or issues like corns and calluses.

You should schedule regular diabetic foot checks with Dr. Berlin, too, so he can monitor the health of your feet. He can treat problems like corns or injuries and make sure your toenails are trimmed correctly to prevent ingrown toenails. You could also benefit from the Anodyne® Infrared Therapy System for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Dr. Berlin can help protect and support your feet using diabetic shoes and custom-fitted orthotics (shoe inserts). If you develop a leg ulcer or suffer from Charcot’s foot, Dr. Berlin offers specialized wound care services.

If you have diabetes, routine foot care is vital. Schedule a consultation at Eastside Foot & Ankle Clinic, P.C., today or book an appointment online.