Uncontrollable blood sugar levels result in vascular complications. Peripheral neuropathy cannot be cured therefore diabetic foot care becomes crucial. Diabetes leads to reduced nerve functioning and areduced ability to be aware of the wounds or sores in the feet.
In addition to this, unmanaged blood sugar levels adversely impact an individual’s ability to heal wounds. Slow healing wounds increase the risk of complications like diabetic foot ulcers. When foot ulcers are left untreated, they might lead to severe infections in the bones and muscles. In such conditions, untimely amputation is the only option to get rid of the life-threatening infection. Therefore, it is highly recommended that diabetics get their feet checked periodically and seek diabetic foot ulcer treatment as soon as possible.
What is a diabetic foot ulcer and how does it form?
Foot ulcers account for 85% of diabetes related amputations. People diagnosed with diabetes must have a vigilant approach toward these ulcers.
Foot ulcers are open wounds that mostly occur at the bottom of the foot. Ulcer related complications or infections must be avoided at all costs. If left untreated the ulcers can lead to hospitalization and an untimely amputation.
The increasing age of diabetes patients makes them more vulnerable to foot ulcers. Moreover, obesity, alcoholism and drug abuse are some of the risk factors behind diabetic foot ulcers.
Vascular complications and neuropathy can be considered the underlying reasons for foot ulcers. When a diabetic is unable to sense the pain or when their ability to heal the wound is slow, any kind of irritation or trauma to the feet can turn into sores and infection causing wounds.
Therefore, timely physical assessments at a podiatrist’s clinic are crucial for keeping the risk of foot ulcers minimal. Diabetics must get their feet checked periodically to reduce the cost of health care, avoid the risk of amputation and also improve their quality of life.
How to spot a diabetic foot ulcer?
Diabetics are suggested to check their feet daily for any signs of infection or trauma. In the condition of a diabetic foot ulcer, the below listed signs and symptoms must not be ignored. These are the symptoms of a diabetic developing a foot ulcer and necessitating immediate medical attention:
- Discharge from the cuts, blisters, sores or calluses on the skin
- Swollen and foul smelling skin
- Pain and redness around the affected area
- Skin discolouration
How are diabetic foot ulcers treated?
Treatment of a diabetic foot ulcer is aimed at minimizing the chances of infection and avoiding amputations. There are several aspects of the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Depending on the severity of the foot ulcer, below are the steps taken by a podiatrist for effective treatment.
Infection prevention
A podiatrist cleans the infection and appliesa wound dressing or bandage to minimize the risk of infection. They also ask the patient to keep blood glucose levels under control to promote faster healing.
Off-loading
Trauma to the ulcer site is avoided with off-loading. In simple words, the patients are required to use braces, casts or wheelchairs to reduce the pressure they apply to the wound.
EpiFix
It is a bioactive tissue membrane that enhances the healing of foot ulcers. This barrier membrane is available in sheet, mesh and various configurations to be applied easily to open wounds. Clinical trials suggest its superiority in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
Medication
Topical medications are prescribed to keep the wounds clean, dry and free from infection causing germs. Daily changing of the wound dressing is also a popular approach that promotes faster healing of ulcerated areas in diabetics. Based on the growth factors, the doctors prescribe products ranging from normal saline to advanced grade medicated ointments.
Surgery
Timely medical intervention is very helpful in the non-invasive treatment of foot ulcers. If the ulcerated area becomes infected, surgical intervention is required.Surgical management is implemented in case of foot deformities causing excessive pressure on the foot ulcers. For instance, a podiatrist may perform surgery for the correction of hammertoes and bunions.
How long does it take to treat a foot ulcer?
Evidence suggests that early medical intervention is helpful in faster healing of wounds and efficient treatment of foot ulcers. In case of delayed treatment, the time required for recovery can be slightly longer. There are various factors that affect a person’s ability to heal foot ulcer wounds.
Good medical care along with strict off-loading and managed blood glucose levels can heal foot ulcer wounds within three-to-six weeks. However, diabetics who have poor circulations and need surgical intervention might have to wait longer than 12 weeks for complete healing.
How to prevent diabetic foot ulcers?
The best approach to prevent foot ulcers is regular appointments with a podiatrist. Routine foot exams are beneficial to diagnose the wounds at the earliest stage.
In addition to this, poor circulation and neuropathy increase the risk of developing foot ulcers. So diabetics must consult a podiatrist to get New Balance Diabetic Shoes. Wearing the right type of shoe is a widely known practice for the prevention of foot ulcers. These footwears are designed specifically for people with poor circulation. Diabetic shoes can be helpful in reducing friction and pressure to promote adequate blood flow and minimize the risk of developing foot ulcers.
Contact the experts now for diabetic foot care
Timely medical care is essential for diabetic foot ulcers. To reduce the risk of infection or amputation, schedule a diabetic care appointment with the board-certified podiatrists at Orange County Feet and Ankle Group. They are recognized for best-in-class diabetic foot care, Sports Injuries treatmentand the best bunion surgery in Orange County. At OCFA Group, you will get personalized diabetic foot care treatment from professional and friendly staff.
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