Diabetes is a chronic health condition that causes the individual to have high blood glucose levels, which can affect almost every bodily system, including the feet.
“Diabetic feet” is a term used to describe the feet of individuals with diabetes that are starting to have symptoms. The feet of individuals with diabetes need specialized care provided by a foot and ankle doctor. Diabetics need to be made aware of the specific needs of their lower limbs. Unlike other people that do not have diabetes, you are at serious risk of losing your limbs if you do not practice diabetic foot care.
Let’s go over the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for diabetic foot. Patient education is crucial for managing the condition and preserving feet health.
Causes of Diabetic Feet
Diabetic feet are primarily caused by the complications associated with diabetes. High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves over time, leading to reduced blood flow (peripheral arterial disease) and nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) in the feet. These conditions create a perfect storm for foot problems to develop.
In the case of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), diabetes damages the blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow to the extremities, including the feet. Poor circulation impairs the body’s ability to deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to the feet, making it difficult for wounds to heal and increasing the risk of infections.
Nerve damage is another common complication of diabetes. It often manifests as peripheral neuropathy, which affects the nerves responsible for sensation in the feet. Individuals with peripheral neuropathy may experience numbness, tingling, or a loss of sensation in their feet. This sensory impairment can make it difficult to detect injuries, such as cuts or blisters, leading to delayed treatment and potential complications.
Symptoms of Diabetic Feet
Several symptoms may indicate the presence of diabetic feet. It’s important to be aware of the signs of diabetic feet and seek medical attention if any concerns arise, such as:
- Numbness or Tingling: Many individuals with diabetic feet experience a loss of sensation, numbness, or a tingling sensation in their feet. This can affect the ability to detect injuries or pain.
- Foot Ulcers: Foot ulcers are open sores or wounds that commonly occur on the bottom of the feet. They can be slow to heal due to impaired blood flow and compromised immune function. The longer time it takes for a wound to heal, the greater the chances of the individual developing an infection.
- Infections: Diabetic feet are more susceptible to infections due to compromised blood flow, slowed wound healing, and a weakened immune response. An infected wound can lead to hospitalization and amputation.
- Foot Deformities: Long-standing uncontrolled diabetes can lead to foot deformity such as Charcot’s foot. This condition is characterized by the shifting or breaking of the bones in the foot, which gives the foot an abnormal shape. Charcot’s foot can also cause warmth and swelling in the foot, making everything worse for the diabetic individual, as mobility and function are affected. A foot and ankle doctor can use a brace, cast, or special boot to correct the foot deformity.
Treatment Options for Diabetic Feet
Effective management of diabetic feet involves a multidisciplinary approach and regular collaboration with healthcare professionals. Your healthcare team, which may include your primary care doctor, endocrinologist, foot and ankle surgeon, and dietitian all work together to help you effectively manage diabetes.
Treatment options for diabetes are not about finding a cure for the disease. The aim is to prevent complications that can arise from the condition, and in the case of diabetic feet, improve overall foot health.
Some of the features of a diabetic treatment plan may include:
- Blood Sugar Control: Maintaining optimal blood sugar levels is fundamental to managing diabetic feet. Proper diabetes management, including medication, diet, exercise, and regular blood sugar monitoring, can help prevent further damage to blood vessels and nerves.
- Foot Care Education: Learning proper foot care techniques is crucial for individuals with diabetes. This includes daily foot inspections, washing and drying feet thoroughly, applying moisturizer to prevent dry skin, and avoiding excessive heat or cold. Proper nail care, including regular trimming and avoiding ingrown nails, is also essential.
- Footwear: Choosing appropriate footwear plays a vital role in protecting the feet. It is recommended that diabetics wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support, cushioning, and protection to their feet. There are also specially designed diabetic shoes, which can help reduce the incidence of skin wounds and sores on the foot. A diabetic’s shoes should have a wide toe box to prevent pressure on the toes and enough room to accommodate any foot deformities or swelling.
- Wound Care: Proper diabetic wound care is critical for preventing infection and promoting a faster healing of the wound. It involves cleaning the wound with mild soap and water, applying proper dressing, and keeping weight off the affected foot. Deep or non-healing wounds may require specialized treatments provided by a foot and ankle surgeon, such as debridement or advanced wound dressing.
- Regular Foot Examinations: Individuals with diabetic feet should have regular foot examinations conducted by a doctor who specializes in diabetic foot care, such as a foot and ankle surgeon. These examinations may include assessments of blood flow, sensation, foot structure, and any signs of potential complications. Early detection of issues allows for timely interventions.
In more severe cases, advanced treatment options may be required, such as:
- Medications to improve blood flow or manage pain
- Surgery to correct foot deformities or address complications like infected ulcers or damaged nerves
- Specialized therapies, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy or electrical stimulation, to promote wound healing
Managing diabetic feet requires a comprehensive approach that also requires the active participation of the patient. Your foot and ankle surgeon can teach you how to take care of your diabetic feet, but you have to apply their tips yourself at home if you want to avoid serious complications.
Diabetic Feet Treatment in Bismarck, ND
There is a lot of support given for patients with diabetes, if you know where to ask. If you are concerned about the effect of diabetes on your foot health, allow our board-certified and fellowship trained foot and ankle surgeons at The Bone & Joint Center to provide you with the highest quality diabetic foot services. We are orthopedic surgeons who can address both bone and soft tissue damage, and we believe in empowering our patients to take an active role in their foot health.
To schedule an appointment with one of our foot and ankle surgeons, call our office today at (701) 946-7400 / (866) 900-8650, or use our convenient online form. Our diabetic foot care specialists look forward to giving you the best in foot care.
