Diabetic Foot Care Specialist

What is diabetic foot care?

Diabetic foot care addresses the unique needs of people with diabetes. When you have diabetes, you have high blood sugar, which leads to serious complications all over the body and especially in the feet.

At Oakland Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, the experienced team provides diabetic foot care to help you prevent, manage, and overcome diabetic foot issues of all types.

What problems does diabetes cause in the feet? 

Diabetes can be especially damaging to your feet; the most common issues include:

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy — nerve damage in the lower extremities — is a very common problem in people with diabetes. Neuropathy disrupts sensation in your feet, so you might not feel a blister, scrape, or cut, which can progress to an infection.

Also, when your nerves aren’t working normally, they can’t relay signals to your muscles. That may lead to a change in the way you walk, which can further increase the chances of foot ulcers. Walking abnormally can also lead to foot deformities, such as bunions, hammertoe, and Charcot foot.

Poor circulation

People with diabetes often experience artery narrowing, which slows blood flow to the feet. That prevents your feet from getting enough oxygen and nutrients to heal when injured, and it can also cause foot and leg pain. In many cases, a foot wound and poor circulation combine to lead to infection and foot ulcers. 

Other foot problems, like ingrown toenails, fungal nails, corns, and calluses, are also common among people with diabetes. 

Because people with diabetes are more likely to develop wounds and infections in general, you shouldn’t try to treat any problems at home. Diabetic foot care at Oakland Orthopedic Institute can help you keep your feet healthy.

What does diabetic foot care include?

Diabetic foot care at Oakland Orthopedics and Sports Medicine covers all diabetic foot care needs with annual foot exams. You may need nerve and vascular testing during exams. The team also provides routine foot care, like nail trimming or corn and callus care.

Education is a cornerstone of diabetic foot care. The team helps you to adopt new foot care routines, including daily self-exams. 

Many people with diabetes need custom orthotics and prescription diabetic shoes to protect their feet. These measures can correct your gait, cushion your feet, protect vulnerable areas, and boost circulation to your feet.

If you have an open wound, you may need wound care, including topical dressings, oral medications, debridement (removal of dead skin), and, sometimes, special approaches like skin grafts, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or other types of precision medicine. 

The team focuses on preserving your foot structure and function as much as possible, leaving surgery like amputation only as a last-resort option.

For diabetic foot care, call Oakland Orthopedics and Sports Medicine or book an appointment online today.