Diabetic Foot Care

What foot issues does diabetes cause?

Diabetes causes foot problems because it damages your nerves and blood vessels, especially when you don't manage your blood glucose levels. This leads to two main conditions in your feet: peripheral artery disease and peripheral neuropathy, which can then lead to many different foot issues. 

Peripheral artery disease

In peripheral artery disease, your arteries harden and narrow, leading to a lack of oxygen-rich blood to your feet. Peripheral artery disease can cause slow wound healing, ulcers, and possibly gangrene (tissue death). 

Peripheral neuropathy

In peripheral neuropathy, also called diabetic neuropathy, damage to the peripheral nerves in your legs and feet can cause symptoms like numbness and tingling. The numbness can make it hard to notice injuries until they ulcerate. Peripheral neuropathy can also cause foot muscle problems, potentially triggering misalignment leading to problems like calluses and corns. 

Peripheral artery disease, peripheral neuropathy, or a combination of the two can also lead to ingrown toenails, hammertoe, and other chronic foot problems.

What are the symptoms of diabetic foot problems?

Some common symptoms of diabetic foot issues are:

• Tingling
• Numbness
• Skin discoloration
• Skin cracks
• Slow-healing wounds or ulcers
• Warm-feeling skin
• Ingrown toenails
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe

Diabetic foot symptoms aren’t always obvious at first, so it’s important to check your feet every day. Additionally, the American Diabetes Association® recommends annual foot exams. The Foot and Ankle Specialists team provides not only comprehensive foot exams but also regular diabetic foot care whenever you need it. 

What kind of diabetic foot care is available?

The Foot and Ankle Specialists team offers all-encompassing foot and ankle care for all diabetes-related issues. 

Nail trimming

Because trimming your nails properly can sometimes be a challenge with diabetes, the team recommends routine nail trimming which, at The Foot & Ankle Specialists, is always performed by a physician. This can help minimize the risk of ingrown toenails and open wounds around your toenails and decrease the risk of accidentally trimming your nails too short at home.

Wound treatment

The Foot and Ankle Specialists team treats lacerations, cuts, sores, and ulcers. In some cases, you may need specialized wound care to encourage faster healing. 

Diabetic shoes and Diabetic Inserts

Diabetic shoes are prescription footwear made to protect your feet from skin breakdown, calluses, and other problems. These shoes can also promote circulation and improve motion. Diabetic inserts can relieve pressure and properly position your foot, which can minimize damage from diabetic foot problems and minimize the risk of diabetic ulcers or wounds. We have a wide variety of diabetic footwear to help get you the best shoe for your foot type. 

The Foot and Ankle Specialists team offers everything you need to maintain healthy feet. They can even verify your insurance benefits to learn what kind of diabetic foot care you’re eligible for. Reach out to the office nearest you or book online for diabetic foot care now.