Diabetes Foot

Diabetic neuropathy is caused when chronic diabetes damages the nerves in the feet. Damage to these nerves causes the feet to be numb, leaving the patient unable to feel sensation in their extremities.

This condition also makes it difficult for diabetic patients to feel soreness, infections or irritation on the feet. They may not even know when their shoes are rubbing. This insensitivity increases the risk of blisters, sores, and cuts.

If a patient does not receive the correct treatment for an infection, ulcers or gangrene can develop. If gangrene results, amputation will be required.

Peripheral vascular disease happens when the blood vessels are blocked by fatty substances. Diabetes alters the physiology of the blood vessels, resulting in abnormalities. Peripheral vascular disease affects the blood vessels that supply the extremities, such as the feet and the hands, thus limiting blood supply.

A reduction in blood supply can lead to infection, wounds, and pain which also retards the body's ability to heal.

Symptoms of diabetic foot problems vary from patient to patient and depend on the issues the patient is experiencing at that point in time. Symptoms include:

• Loss of sensation in toes and feet.
• Tingling or numbing sensation.
• Wounds or blisters without pain.
• Changes in temperature and skin discoloration.
• Red streaks.
• Wounds that do not have drainage.
• Tingling accompanied by pain.
• Stains on the socks.

Symptoms of infection include:

• Fever
• High blood sugar levels
• Chills
• Shock
• Redness
• Shaking

If you are a diabetic patient and are experiencing symptoms of an infection, seek treatment from a podiatrist near Wyandotte and Southfield.

It is important to see a podiatrist near Wyandotte and Southfieldto carefully monitor your peripheral vascular disease and diabetic neuropathy conditions. The effects of both complications can be very serious. Complications include:

• Wounds or foot ulcers that are difficult to heal.
• Infections that turn to abscess, affecting the bone, skin.
• Gangrene.
• Deformity of the foot.
• Charcot’s foot, a distortion in the shape of the bones in the feet.

In some cases, a podiatrist near Wyandotte and Southfield can reverse the complications caused by diabetes

Diabetic patients should see a foot and ankle doctor in Wyandotte and Southfield regularly so they can be well taken care of.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed below, see your podiatrist for immediate medical care:

• Change in skin color of the foot.
• Swelling in the ankle or foot.
• Changes in foot temperature.
• Sores on the foot.
• Tingling or pain in the foot or ankles.
• Athlete’s foot.
• Dry, cracked skin.

The treatment recommended by a podiatrist near Wyandotte and Southfield will depend on the severity of the condition. There are a wide range of non-surgical and surgical options.

Non-surgical treatments include:

• Cleaning and dressing the wounds.
• Wearing a total contact cast or other immobilization devices.
• Close monitoring of wounds.

Surgical treatments include:

• Removing decaying or dead tissue
• Amputation.
• Stabilizing of Charcot’s foot using surgical methods.
• Treatment of a peripheral vascular disease with an arterial bypass. An arterial bypass will channel blood flow to the area.
• Insertion of stents, which helps to keep the blood vessels open.

Your foot and ankle doctor at Wyandotte and Southfield will create a treatment plan that is right for you.

It is important that diabetic patients adopt measures to prevent foot problems. The health of your feet should be your priority so take the following steps:

• Check feet daily: Closely examine your feet each day. You may also ask someone to observe your feet for any injuries or physical changes.
• Wash feet daily: It is important that feet be clean. Dirty feet increase the chances of infection.
• Wear supportive shoes and socks: Protect feet by wearing socks and shoes at all times. A podiatrist may recommend special shoes to prevent the development of deformities. Socks should be worn loosely. Wearing tight socks may restrict blood flow.
• Enhance blood flow to your feet: When sitting, allow your feet to remain up. Wiggle toes at intervals, and get adequate exercise. Doing so will boost the flow of blood to the feet.
• Trim nails carefully: Always be careful when trimming toes nails. Trim nails straight across, and ensure they remain short at all times. Round nails can grow inwards and cause infection.
• Provide adequate care for corns and unicorns: Be careful when treating corns and unicorns. Do not shave corns. Doing so will increase risk of infection.
• Do not expose feet to extreme temperatures (high or low): Exposing feet to extreme temperatures can cause tissue damage.
• See your doctor regularly: Ensure that you visit a podiatrist for regular examinations of your feet. Doing this can prevent amputation, infection, and deformity.
• Control blood sugar: This is very important. If blood sugar is not controlled, there is a greater risk of podiatric complications.

Avoid smoking: Smoking impedes the flow of blood to the tissues. This can worsen foot problems for diabetic patients.