Diabetic foot care

Diabetic foot care is a critical consideration for patients with diabetes who are at high risk for limb loss due to the circulatory issues and nerve damage the disease can cause. Treatments range from the daily management of risk factors and non-surgical treatments for wounds, to traditional surgeries.

Typically, diabetic foot care is administered by a podiatrist. However, when complications arise due to the circulatory problems associated with the disease, it may be appropriate for our experienced vascular surgeons to oversee your care. We’re dedicated to avoiding limb loss and preserving your quality of life through an extremely customized approach to your care. We take the time to familiarize ourselves with your health history, current condition and lifestyle before creating a treatment plan that will get you the best results. Given the diverse nature of diabetic foot care, it’s important to enlist a vascular surgeon who can offer a wide range of treatment options, whether your situation calls for a minor procedure or a major surgery. Our surgeons hold expertise across the board, giving you access to whatever it takes to keep you healthy and independent.

In addition to having poorly controlled diabetes, those who smoke, have nerve damage and do not properly care for their feet are more likely to experience diabetes-related foot problems. The presence of these risk factors also increases the chances that issues will recur after treatment, so making specific lifestyle changes is an important aspect of the overall care for your diabetes.   

Complications stemming from diabetes-related foot problems may include foot ulcerations, infection and gangrene. The disease can also lead to the development of serious conditions like diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve damage cause by chronically high blood sugar, and peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition which causes arteries to narrow due to a buildup of plaque, consequentially limiting blood flow to the legs.

In terms of the care itself, complications will be dependent on the treatment option you receive. For non- or less-invasive treatments, complications would be minimal and largely dependent on the success of the treatment. Our careful approach helps minimize these risks, but it is always our goal to avoid the need for surgical intervention by identifying the potential for PAD early on.

Diabetic foot care is extremely diverse. The most common types of care involve the management of risk factors like high blood sugar, regular examinations of the feet and paying special attention to caring for your feet day in and day out. This might include:

• Checking your feet daily for discoloration, swelling and cuts or sores that do not heal in a timely manner
• Washing your feet carefully and thoroughly every day
• Keeping your feet moisturized to avoid cracking of the skin
• Wearing comfortable shoes and socks when outdoors
• Carefully trimming your toe nails
• Quitting smoking

Your care might also require the help of one of our surgeons or a podiatrist, such as when a callus develops and must be removed, topical treatment is needed for a wound, or your toe nails need to be trimmed in a safe manner that prevents any cuts or scrapes from occurring. If complications arise (such as if you develop an infection, ulcers on the feet or gangrene), surgery is another method of treatment we might explore. This can range from debridement, which is the removal of damaged tissue or foreign objects from a wound, or to a procedure like atherectomy to remove plaque buildup in the arteries that might cause further foot problems to develop.

At the very least, you should be undergoing a foot exam annually to determine what steps might need to be taken in terms of preventative care. You can prepare for these exams on your own by paying close attention to your feet and cleansing them on a daily basis. Additional steps that need to be taken to prepare for a specific procedure will always be explained in depth by your doctor prior to treatment.

Since the vast amount of diabetic foot care involves the management of risk factors, there is no recovery as it is simply ongoing maintenance. However, if surgery is required, the recovery period may involve a short hospital stay. 

Since diabetes is a chronic disease, your long-term care will require continuous management of your condition. Much of this you can take care of yourself at home with guidance from your doctor. We recommend checking your feet daily for abnormalities, keeping feet clean, leading an active lifestyle, avoiding smoking, controlling your blood sugar and wearing comfortable shoes with socks any time you are outdoors. When you have diabetes, even the smallest cut can cause serious complications. Our surgeons develop a long-lasting relationship with you, your podiatrist and primary care physician to help you avoid those complications.

With the right preventative measures and continued management, diabetic foot care can be very successful for protecting your feet, legs and quality of life.