Diabetic Ulcers

You are at higher risk to develop a diabetic foot ulcer if you:

• have neuropathy
• have poor circulation
• have a foot deformity
• wear inappropriate shoes (or no shoes at all!)
• have uncontrolled blood sugar

If a diabetic foot ulcer goes untreated and you continue to walk around on it, the wound will deepen into the muscles, tendons and bones.

At that point, a hospital stay and surgery are almost guaranteed, because we need to drain the infection and clear things up.

Even then, there’s still a risk that the wound won’t heal and long-term infections like this can be life-threatening. In some cases, a wound gets so dangerous that the toe or even foot has to be amputated.

Of course, all of this can usually be avoided. If you have advanced diabetes, check your feet daily for any sign of injury or infection.

If you notice any problems, call us right away for an appointment. If we can catch it early, it will make a significant difference.

• Take pressure off the area
• Remove dead skin and tissue
• Apply the appropriate medicine and bandages to the area
• Handle other health care concerns such as blood glucose levels
• Don’t leave the wound exposed or walk around barefoot
• Report to your podiatrists office
• Use prescribed antibiotics

Not all wounds heal the same way. If your wound is more severe, it could take weeks or months to heal properly. Taking the proper steps can help get you there faster! We are also able to help you by performing foot examinations to help prevent the full development of a diabetic foot ulcer. Thorough inspection of your feet can help us prevent serious complications.

For non-healing ulcers, our office offers laser therapy. Laser therapy increase circulation which stimulates collagen production to heal your wound faster. Please discuss this option with your physician to determine if it is the right treatment for you.