Diabetic Feet

Having a chronic health condition like diabetes can truly alter your life and foot care routine. The condition makes you more susceptible to issues like peripheral neuropathy and other foot problems such as wounds and ulcers. At Modern Podiatry, experienced podiatrists Kibibi Wanzu, DPM, Brittany C. Sumpter, DPM, and Ronderick Williamson, DPM offer comprehensive care for diabetic feet in their Hampton and Atlanta, Georgia, offices. Call the office closest to you or schedule an appointment online today. 

What is diabetes?  

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. If you have diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or the cells in your body don’t use insulin properly. This causes your blood sugar to spike, increasing your risk of more serious issues, like nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy).

When you have diabetes, you may require special chronic disease management, including diabetic foot care. 

What happens when I have diabetic feet? 

Diabetic feet can cause serious complications without proper care. Because the circulation in your feet is damaged by diabetes, it can cause tingling and numbness and you may not realize when you have an open wound. Without adequate blood circulating, wounds don’t receive the nutrients and oxygen they need to heal. Even a minor cut can lead to gangrene (tissue death) and amputation. 

With diabetes, you’re also more likely to experience foot issues like corns, calluses, bunions, hammertoes, and ingrown toenails. 

Diabetes foot care uses a combination of regular checkups at Modern Podiatry, healthy lifestyle changes, and prescription medication to treat diabetes and prevent it from worsening. 

How are diabetic feet treated?

At Modern Podiatry, the team develops custom care plans to help you manage diabetic feet. Your treatment may include preventive foot care and other special procedures as needed. 

Diabetic feet are often managed with:

• Routine foot exams
• Nail maintenance
• Topical wound care
• Prescription diabetic shoes
• Orthotics

The team offers lifestyle advice to ensure you’re taking the necessary steps to maintain healthy feet, including trimming your nails in a certain way and keeping your feet moisturized daily. 

If you develop an ulcer and it becomes serious, they can also perform diabetic foot and limb salvage to preserve your foot and avoid amputation. 

While diabetic foot care is essential to maintaining healthy feet, it’s also important to keep your blood sugar within a healthy range. Making healthy lifestyle changes like losing weight, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly can all help you to reduce your risk of other health problems associated with diabetes.

To receive expert care for diabetic feet, call Modern Podiatry or schedule an appointment online today.