Diabetic Foot Care in the Desert

What You Need To Know

Understanding how diabetes affects your feet is the first step toward protecting them.

Understanding Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetic foot complications are the leading cause of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations in the United States and are the most common cause of hospitalization for people with diabetes. If you’re living with diabetes, you’re also more likely to develop peripheral neuropathy and foot problems, such as open wounds and calluses.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes your blood sugar levels to stay at consistently unhealthy levels. Left untreated, this can lead to a variety of health problems, particularly those that affect your lower extremities. If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to develop slow-healing wounds, diabetic ulcers, peripheral neuropathy, and calluses. These conditions also increase your risk of infection and, in turn, the need for amputation.

Diabetic neuropathy affects 60 to 70% of people with diabetes. Neuropathy is the medical term for nerve damage, which is associated with symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and balance problems. Unfortunately, many people assume these symptoms are just a result of old age. Diabetes often damages the nerves in your feet, preventing you from feeling pain if you cut your foot or step on a foreign object.

Fortunately, you can significantly lower your risk of more serious problems by monitoring your feet regularly, taking your prescription medications, exercising, and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. If your feet or toes regularly bother you, or if you notice a sore or wound, it’s important to make an appointment with us right away.

Prevention, Treatment, and Daily Care

Even if you haven’t developed neuropathy or a diabetic ulcer, you can still benefit from diabetic foot care. Following an exam and review of your medical history, we can provide you with tips and suggestions to help you detect problems early and prevent further complications. Inspecting your feet daily, washing them regularly, and wearing comfortable, well-fitting footwear can significantly lower your risk of infection.

Our providers offer a comprehensive suite of diabetic foot care treatments. For diabetic wounds, we offer safe and effective options including antibiotics, enzyme treatments, diabetic shoes, casts, and foot braces. When a wound goes unnoticed and it’s combined with poor circulation, you’re more likely to develop an infection, and wounds don’t heal as quickly for people with diabetes.

We are experienced at fitting diabetic shoes and molding inserts to accommodate your feet, which can dramatically reduce your risk of complications. Often, these shoes and inserts are covered by your insurance with little to no out-of-pocket expense. We also offer custom orthotics and braces designed to correct an abnormal or irregular walking pattern.

Research has shown that a single visit to a podiatrist can reduce your risk of amputation by 29%, and 85% of amputations can be prevented. We expect you to keep your toes, and you should expect the same. Call the office nearest you or use our online booking tool to schedule your appointment today.