Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects your body's ability to produce and use insulin, a hormone that regulates your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar damages the blood vessels and nerves in your extremities (particularly your feet) over time — and the resulting foot problems are difficult to manage on your own.
That’s why it’s essential to have a podiatrist on your diabetic care team. Lisa Burson, DPM, and Joe Aoun, DPM, offer diabetic foot care at The Foot & Ankle Specialists for people in Bay City, Caro, and Lapeer, Michigan. And if you’re one of the nearly 37 million Americans with diabetes, it’s time to learn why having a podiatrist is so important.
Along with your primary care physician, endocrinologist, and ophthalmologist, adding a podiatrist to your diabetic care team helps you:
Of all the possible complications of diabetes, foot complications are some of the most common. Diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling, and pain in your feet, making it difficult to detect injuries or infections
Neuropathy also restricts circulation to your feet. Poor blood flow reduces your body’s ability to heal from injury, and it also increases your risk of infection and foot ulcers. Ulcers are slow-healing wounds that can lead to amputation without proper care.
Our podiatrists can help prevent diabetic foot complications with comprehensive care. We offer regular foot exams to check for cuts, blisters, and other injuries. We also educate you about the importance of proper foot care and footwear.
If you start developing nerve damage or foot complications, we can identify and start treating those problems early. We provide advanced wound care and personalized treatment plans to reduce your risk of additional complications.
Diabetes is a lifelong condition, and your healthcare needs will change over time. Proactive foot care is the best way to avoid foot complications, but sometimes, more advanced treatment is necessary.
Some people with diabetes need foot surgery to remove infected tissue, relieve pressure on their foot, or correct deformities that can lead to ulcers. Not only do we specialize in foot surgery, but we also provide post-operative care to help you get back on your feet as quickly and safely as possible.
Managing your diabetes requires a team of healthcare professionals. Your podiatrist is just one doctor on your diabetic care team, but we’re dedicated to helping you get the best possible care.
Our team coordinates care with your other providers to ensure that all aspects of your diabetes management plan are working together. For example, if you have diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition that can lead to vision loss, we may work with your ophthalmologist to develop a treatment plan that considers any foot problems that may affect your mobility.
Diabetic foot problems can significantly impact your quality of life. Numbness, pain, and other symptoms can make it difficult to walk or stand for long periods of time, limiting your ability to work, exercise, or enjoy your hobbies.
Taking a proactive approach to foot care with our podiatric team helps improve your quality of life. Together, we address your foot problems and find ways to manage your symptoms. Our approach helps reduce discomfort, increase mobility, and allows you to enjoy a more active and fulfilling life.
Working with a podiatrist helps you manage diabetic foot complications and improve your quality of life. If you have diabetes, schedule an appointment at The Foot & Ankle Specialists to learn more about your treatment options.
