“How is a diabetic foot treated?”
What is the best possible treatment for diabetic foot? My mom has diabetes and is concerned about this. Can only medication help in treating it?
8 Answers
Podiatrist(FootandAnkleSpecialist)DiabeticFoot
Only a foot and ankle specialist can treat this issue. Be careful as diabetic feet are high risk for severe problems. This will progress if left untreated.
There are multiple conservative options that work very well. Please, make an appointment with me in my Chandler office (480) 269-7130 and I will go over all of your options. Depending on Xrays (if needed) that I can take at my office and the clinical exam, I am able to diagnose and recommend different treatment options. I recommend you have this checked as soon as you can, especially since I can usually treat this without surgery very well in just one visit with me. My office is located on Dobson road, just north of Chandler Regional Hospital. Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists of Arizona. Feel free to ask to be seen by me specifically and I will get you in the same day or latest the next day. I take all insurances, please do not go off of the insurance list on this website as it is not updated yet. Mention that I have talked to you on the internet. I can also do the entire visit with you over the phone or video call as well, which most insurances cover, even if you are out of state and my staff can verify this for you when you schedule. Thank you and have a good evening.
There are multiple conservative options that work very well. Please, make an appointment with me in my Chandler office (480) 269-7130 and I will go over all of your options. Depending on Xrays (if needed) that I can take at my office and the clinical exam, I am able to diagnose and recommend different treatment options. I recommend you have this checked as soon as you can, especially since I can usually treat this without surgery very well in just one visit with me. My office is located on Dobson road, just north of Chandler Regional Hospital. Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists of Arizona. Feel free to ask to be seen by me specifically and I will get you in the same day or latest the next day. I take all insurances, please do not go off of the insurance list on this website as it is not updated yet. Mention that I have talked to you on the internet. I can also do the entire visit with you over the phone or video call as well, which most insurances cover, even if you are out of state and my staff can verify this for you when you schedule. Thank you and have a good evening.
Treatment depends upon symptoms. Many diabetic feet are not symptomatic at all. These just need to be monitored. If this symptom is nerve pain, there are many medications that help with this. If this symptom is numbness there are other medications that will help with that. Of course, in every situation control of the diabetes is most important. A podiatrist, endocrinologist, or your family doctor can help you determine which is the best choice for your mother.
Kathleen Neuhoff, DPM
Kathleen Neuhoff, DPM
If there is no specific foot problem, as a diabetic your mom should protect her feet with shoes even in the house. Blood sugar that fluctuates can cause nerve damage that can lead to loss of sensation(neuropathy), she should also examine her feet to ensure that they are no cuts, bruises ect.
Well diabetic feet can have multiple issues such as neuropathy, poor circulation, ulcers, infections, toe nail fungus, dry feet, gangrene so please advice your mom to keep her blood sugar under control and also follow up regularly with podiatrist.
Seeing a foot and ankle specialist is the first step to proper diabetic foot care. We examine the foot and ankle for any signs of potential skin breakdown. There are nerve biopsies and specific nerve conduction tests that can look at potential or exsistinf neuropathy (burning and tingling) so many diabetic complications start in your feet. Don’t wait. Schedule an appointment as soon as possible for a diabetic foot check up.
A diabetic foot needs to be evaluated for breaking down of the skin.
A diabetic patient needs to see their medical doctor to keep the blood sugars under control as this maintains the bodies ability to fight infection.
The skin is the first line of prevention against infection. We know that if there is poor circulation, a lack of feeling and a lot of pressure on the skin, you can potentially walk a hole in the skin allowing infection.
Infections can increase blood sugars and elevated blood sugar over 200 leads to the bodies inability to fight infection.
So depending on the examination patients need to be observed for evidence of skin breakdown prior to the breakdown, and preventative measures shoud be in place for the at risk patient. The risks have to be identified as well.
A diabetic patient needs to see their medical doctor to keep the blood sugars under control as this maintains the bodies ability to fight infection.
The skin is the first line of prevention against infection. We know that if there is poor circulation, a lack of feeling and a lot of pressure on the skin, you can potentially walk a hole in the skin allowing infection.
Infections can increase blood sugars and elevated blood sugar over 200 leads to the bodies inability to fight infection.
So depending on the examination patients need to be observed for evidence of skin breakdown prior to the breakdown, and preventative measures shoud be in place for the at risk patient. The risks have to be identified as well.
Hello and thank you for your inquiry.
So, what is the standard of care for diabetic foot care? This is actually a great question. So, diabetes is a microvascular disease that can affect the small vessels that supply blood to the retina, peripheral nerves and kidney. This can result in the classic triad of diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and nephropathy. So, when evaluating the diabetic foot, there are certain things to pay close attention to. During a diabetic foot exam, I examine the patient's skin, nerves, blood supply, and their overall foot structure. More common issues I experience in the diabetic foot are infection, wounds, thick fungal nail, callouses, and poor circulation. Uncontrolled diabetics are susceptible to lack of sensation in their feet, i.e., neuropathy. So, these patients do not feel their feet like someone who does not have neuropathy. This will lead to ulcers and infection. The best advice I can give to my diabetic patients is to check their feet daily, wear proper shoes that do not cause areas of irritation, use a moisturizer to combat dry skin, and get a referral from your PCP to see a podiatrist.
Thank you so much for your question and I wish you the best!
So, what is the standard of care for diabetic foot care? This is actually a great question. So, diabetes is a microvascular disease that can affect the small vessels that supply blood to the retina, peripheral nerves and kidney. This can result in the classic triad of diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and nephropathy. So, when evaluating the diabetic foot, there are certain things to pay close attention to. During a diabetic foot exam, I examine the patient's skin, nerves, blood supply, and their overall foot structure. More common issues I experience in the diabetic foot are infection, wounds, thick fungal nail, callouses, and poor circulation. Uncontrolled diabetics are susceptible to lack of sensation in their feet, i.e., neuropathy. So, these patients do not feel their feet like someone who does not have neuropathy. This will lead to ulcers and infection. The best advice I can give to my diabetic patients is to check their feet daily, wear proper shoes that do not cause areas of irritation, use a moisturizer to combat dry skin, and get a referral from your PCP to see a podiatrist.
Thank you so much for your question and I wish you the best!
The diabetic foot is not a disease entity unto itself, but is a description for potential concern regarding complications of the lower extremity and foot-related to the diabetic state. Hyperglycemia or elevated blood sugar can impact multiple systems and thereby tissues that can impact foot presentation. Of notable concern is the circulatory and nervous system.
Diabetics are prone to diseases of these systems resulting in poor circulation and loss of nerve function that may leave an individual susceptible for injury to include wounds as well as bone and joint trauma. It is for this reason that we recommend to our diabetics vigilant regular examination of their lower extremities and feet to include visual examination and manual palpation. Stringent glycemic control is the mainstay of care, but when complications do develop immediate attention by a specialist well-versed in the diabetic foot is critical to prevent significant sequelae. Patients with identified compromise to include neurologic and vascular of the lower extremities warrant regular examination by such a specialist and in fact hygienic care to include management of nail disorders and skin disorders is typically covered by insurance with the understanding of this risk.
Diabetics are prone to diseases of these systems resulting in poor circulation and loss of nerve function that may leave an individual susceptible for injury to include wounds as well as bone and joint trauma. It is for this reason that we recommend to our diabetics vigilant regular examination of their lower extremities and feet to include visual examination and manual palpation. Stringent glycemic control is the mainstay of care, but when complications do develop immediate attention by a specialist well-versed in the diabetic foot is critical to prevent significant sequelae. Patients with identified compromise to include neurologic and vascular of the lower extremities warrant regular examination by such a specialist and in fact hygienic care to include management of nail disorders and skin disorders is typically covered by insurance with the understanding of this risk.
