Diabetic Foot Ulcers
People who have lost their sensation of pain often develop ulcers on the soles of their feet. This is often due to the fact that they exert so much pressure on one specific area that a callus forms there. As the patient can’t feel pain, the callus can continue to develop until eventually the pressure becomes so much that the tissue is actually broken down and an ulcer forms.
Ill-fitting shoes are another cause of foot ulcers as they rub or pinch the same area of the foot repetitively causing injury and harm without the diabetic feeling it. An ulcer is an open sore or wound that needs to be treated by a Podiatrist immediately to lower the risk of infection in the ulcer and to prevent amputation.
Diabetic Foot Ulcers treatment
Treatment for diabetic foot ulcers may include:
- Topical medication or dressing for the ulcer
- Reducing the pressure around the ulcer site (referred to as off-loading) by using special footwear, crutches, braces or a wheelchair
- Removal of dead skin around the site (called debridement)
- Education on good foot health and prevention of problems if the ulcer has become infected
- Antibiotics and maybe even hospital care might be required
Self-care is not advised in the case of a diabetic ulcer and the quicker professional treatment is sought and the healing process began, the lower the chance is of developing an infection. Our Podiatrist will instruct you on how to manage the care of the wound between visits.
Our Expertise
Our Podiatrists understand the importance of regular foot health checks and provide specialist care for diabetic patients. Once our Podiatrist has assessed your foot ulcer, appropriate treatment will begin to reduce the ulcer while also getting to the root of the issue to prevent re-occurrence.
Our Podiatrists will also provide advice on preventative methods as well as advice on general foot care for diabetic patients if necessary.
|
|
|
|