Diabetic Foot Specialist

How does diabetes affect my feet?

Your feet already have a limited blood supply. They’re the furthest points from your heart, and your circulatory system has to fight against the force of gravity. But when you have diabetes, blood circulation is impacted even more.

The decrease in essential blood circulation when you have diabetes can lead to:

• Nail problems, including ingrown toenails and fungal nails
• Nerve damage (neuropathy)
• Overly dry, cracked feet
• Slow-healing wounds
• Corns and calluses

These issues can increase your risk of serious diabetic foot wounds, which if left untreated, can lead to an amputation. 

When should I see a podiatrist if I have diabetes?

The compassionate podiatry team at The Foot Specialty Practice encourage you to come in for a foot examination about once a year. Your dedicated podiatrist could recommend more frequent visits if you’ve had diabetic foot wounds in the past, or if you’ve recently received a diabetes diagnosis.

It’s particularly important to have a comprehensive diabetic foot care exam right away if you’re experiencing any of the following issues.

• Oozing wound 
• Soreness or swelling
• Redness or bruising 
• Numbness or tingling
• Blood or drainage in your socks or shoes

You should also visit The Foot Specialty Practice as soon as possible if you have any sort of injury or trauma to your lower extremities. 

What happens during a diabetic foot care exam?

Your diabetic foot care exam at The Foot Specialty Practice is your one-on-one time with your podiatrist to address any concerns you may have about your feet and lower legs. After sitting and talking with you, your podiatrist performs a thorough foot exam. They may also:

• Trim your toenails
• Remove corns or calluses
• Order X-rays or ultrasounds
• Take molds for custom orthotics
• Treat wounds, fungal nails, or ingrown toenails
• Help you select diabetic shoes, which are often covered by insurance and Medicare

Your podiatrist at The Foot Specialty Practice even spends time teaching you how to care for your feet at home and how to examine your feet each day, so you can prevent a serious diabetic foot wound.   

If you have diabetes, schedule an evaluation at The Foot Specialty Practice today. You can request your diabetic foot care exam online, or you can call the office directly.