Diabetic foot complications are a major area of special interest for our practice. We have extensive experience and knowledge in this area. Of all of the foot problems our patients can present with, there is little that is more serious to life or limb than a foot complication due to diabetes.
How diabetes can affect your feet
Your feet are supplied with blood to keep them healthy. They also have a multitude of nerves that act as an emergency warning system. For example, if you have a stone in your shoe, nerves will send a message to your brain to investigate.
Nerve damage may mean that you no longer notice the stone in your shoe, due to loss of sensation to your feet. This could then lead to an injury you can’t feel, and possibly infection. If you have poor circulation, any injuries or infections to your feet (ie cuts, burns or scratches) will take longer to heal. This is due to less blood flowing into the arteries in your feet. Blood provides energy to working muscles and aids in healing any tissue damage.
If you have poor circulation, you will need to take extra care to protect your feet from
injury. Most foot problems in people who have diabetes occur when injuries and often infections – go unnoticed and untreated, or when healing is delayed due to poor circulation. With diabetes, even corns between toes should be treated seriously. The bruising that has appeared beneath this corn is a warning sign that ulceration and infection may soon develop.
Your podiatrist will look for general foot conditions which may lead to future problems. They will work with you to show you how to monitor your own feet, in between consultations.