Diabetic Foot Care FAQs

High glucose levels in people with diabetes often cause the loss of blood circulation and nerve function that can lead to problems with the feet. The most common foot ailments of people with diabetes include diabetic foot ulcers, gangrene, diabetic neuropathy, and infections.

Diabetic foot care is essential for diabetics to save the health of their feet. A small cut can cause severe consequences, so diabetics must take special effort in caring for their feet by:

• Washing feet daily
• Checking for cuts and sores
• Keeping toenails trimmed
• Protecting feet from extreme temperatures
• Always wearing socks and shoes

Since people with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing foot problems, it’s important to practice preventative care. We can check for warning signs, including redness, swelling, wounds, and numbness in a diabetic’s foot. As ankle and foot experts, we have extensive knowledge of diabetic foot problems and can help avoid severe foot complications and amputation.

The most common complications of foot problems for diabetics include:

• Foot ulcers, wounds, or blisters that do not heal
• Loss of feeling in feet
• Change in shape of feet
• Amputation

It’s essential to take care of your feet and visit a specialist to ensure you avoid these foot complications.

The most common warning signs of diabetic foot problems include:

• Numbness in feet or legs
• Irritation
• Ingrown toenails
• Swelling in feet
• Redness
• Unhealed wounds
• Cracked or dry skin
• Drainage on socks

Yes! Most diabetic foot or leg complications are preventable. It’s critical to receive a medical foot examination to decrease your risk of severe complications.

Yes! There are special types of custom orthotics, socks, and shoes designed for people with diabetes. People with diabetes must never go barefoot to protect their feet from scrapes and cuts that lead to infections.

It’s critical to call a doctor if you experience any of these diabetic foot problems, including:

• Persistent pain or numbness in the feet or legs is never normal for a diabetic.
• Any significant trauma to the legs or feet, even if minor, needs medical attention due to injection risk.
• New areas of redness, swelling, or warmth on the feet or legs often indicate inflammation or infection.
• Any fresh wound, blister, or ulcer can go from a minor issue to a major problem in a short amount of time.
• Constant itching in the feet may indicate an infection or dry skin that may lead to a severe infection.
• Even a low fever can indicate a severe illness.

There are multiple procedures and tests to help diagnose diabetic foot problems, including:

• Physical Examination – A medical examination will address symptoms and check the sensation in feet and legs, vital signs, and circulation. If patients have any unhealed wounds, these will be addressed at this time to determine their depth.
• Laboratory Tests – Lab tests for diabetes may include a CBC, or complete blood cell count to help determine any infection. If the problems are severe, patients may also need an electrolyte study, kidney function test, liver enzyme test, and a heart enzyme test.
• X-rays – We may x-ray a patient’s feet or legs to find damage from infection, signs of damage to bones, or foreign bodies in the soft tissues. When gas is found in the soft tissues, it indicates gangrene.
• Ultrasound – An ultrasound shows the blood’s ability to flow through veins and arteries without any trouble.

Regular foot care is essential for people with diabetes because minor problems can escalate quickly to severe infections. If diabetics don’t properly care for their feet, they are at risk for amputation or severe conditions.

The Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists will always give you a thorough examination of your feet and legs to determine any symptoms. Depending on what is found during this exam, we may conduct nerve testing, order additional tests, perform nail trimming, and remove corns or calluses.