Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Diabetic Foot ulcers / Infections

If you are diabetic, your feet require special care. There are ways to help prevent serious diabetic foot issues, such as ulcers or infections.

What Is a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs in approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes, and is commonly located on the bottom of the foot. Of those who develop a foot ulcer, six percent will be hospitalized due to infection or other ulcer-related complication.

Diabetes is the leading cause of nontraumatic lower extremity amputations in the United States, and approximately 14 to 24 percent of patients with diabetes who develop a foot ulcer have an amputation. Research, however, has shown that the development of a foot ulcer is preventable.

Ulcers form due to a combination of factors, such as lack of feeling in the foot, poor circulation, foot deformities, irritation (such as friction or pressure), and trauma, as well as duration of diabetes. Patients who have diabetes for many years can develop neuropathy, a reduced or complete lack of ability to feel pain in the feet due to nerve damage caused by elevated blood glucose levels over time.

Your podiatric physician can test feet for neuropathy with a simple and painless tool called a monofilament.

What Is the Value of Treating a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

Once an ulcer is noticed, seek podiatric medical care immediately. Foot ulcers in patients with diabetes should be treated for several reasons:

• To reduce the risk of infection and amputation
• To improve function and quality of life
• To reduce health care costs

Preventing Infection

There are several important factors to keep an ulcer from becoming infected:

• Keep blood glucose levels under tight control
• Keep the ulcer clean and bandaged
• Cleanse the wound daily, using a wound dressing or bandage
• Do not walk barefoot

Scheduling an appointment every 3 months if you are diabetic with your podiatrist can help keep ulcers and infections under control. If you are feeling any of the symptoms then quickly call your health care provider and schedule an appointment right away

Visit our website FlagStaffFootandAnkle.com or call us at 928-774-4825 and schedule your appointment today!