Diabetic Foot Care

What is diabetic foot care?

Diabetic foot care is one of the patient-centered services available at Premier Foot and Ankle Center & Elite Upper Extremity and Plastic Surgery. It includes the evaluation, treatment, and prevention of foot-related problems in people with diabetes. 

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that interferes with your body’s management of blood sugar. People with diabetes have higher than normal blood sugar levels because of problems with their insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas that moves sugar from the blood into your cells. 

Too much sugar in your blood may damage your blood vessels and organs. People with diabetes are at greater risk of developing other serious health conditions, including neuropathy, heart disease, and insufficient wound healing. 

Why do I need diabetic foot care?

People with diabetes need diabetic foot care because diabetes is dangerous for their feet. Blood vessel damage in people with diabetes usually affects the smaller blood vessels first, including the blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to your feet.

Damage to these blood vessels affects foot health. Additionally, diabetes damages nerves (neuropathy) and may affect the sensations in your feet.

When people with diabetes have a foot injury, they may not be able to feel it. Because of poor circulation to the feet, the wound may not heal, leading to an infection that may require an amputation.

Diabetic foot care at Premier Foot and Ankle Center & Elite Upper Extremity and Plastic Surgery finds, treats, and prevents these foot problems before they become serious health issues. 

What happens during diabetic foot care?

Premier Foot and Ankle Center & Elite Upper Extremity and Plastic Surgery provides routine diabetic foot care to help you maintain foot health. 

During your visit, your podiatrist evaluates your feet, assessing blood flow and sensation. They also talk to you about how to take care of your feet at home.

Your podiatrist may trim your toenails, remove corns or calluses, and treat any other foot problem. To reduce your risk of developing a foot injury or sore, your podiatrist may recommend custom orthotics to protect the soft tissue.

If you have a sore or wound, your podiatrist provides the necessary treatment to support healing and prevent infection. 

The frequency of your diabetic foot care visits varies and depends on your foot health and the severity of your diabetes and related complications. 

Call the office or book online today to schedule your diabetic foot care appointment at Premier Foot and Ankle Center & Elite Upper Extremity and Plastic Surgery.