Diabetic Foot Care

It’s crucial to schedule regular diabetic foot care if you’re one of the more than 37 million Americans with diabetes. At Podiatry Institute of the South, the team of board-certified podiatrists and foot and ankle surgeons specializes in diabetic foot care. Preventive exams, healthy lifestyle changes, and prescription medication can help keep your blood sugar in check and reduce your risk of diabetes-related foot and ankle problems. Call the nearest office in Senatobia, Mississippi, West Memphis, Arkansas, or Memphis, Millington, or Bartlett, Tennessee, to make an appointment or book online today. 

What is diabetic foot care?

Diabetic foot care is a podiatry subspecialty that diagnoses and treats diabetic ulcers, infections, and other diabetes-related problems. 

Diabetes is a group of chronic diseases that affect your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. If your blood sugar levels remain consistently high, it increases your risk of potentially serious health problems.

Routine checkups at Podiatry Institute of the South can alert you to underlying issues and improve your quality of life. 

What types of problems does diabetic foot care treat?

At Podiatry Institute of the South, the team uses diabetic foot care to treat various problems, including:

• Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)
• Hyperglycemia (chronic high blood sugar)
• Weight issues
• Diabetic ulcers, and other slow-healing wounds

You might also benefit from diabetic foot care if you have diabetes and develop a bunion, hammertoe, or other foot-related abnormality.

Who should consider diabetic foot care?

Enroll in diabetic foot care at Podiatry Institute of the South if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes. That’s especially true if you experience symptoms of neuropathy or peripheral artery disease, including:

• Skin discoloration
• Hair loss on your legs and feet
• Numbness
• Pain
• Tingling
• Slow-healing wounds
• Swelling

Diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of complications and encourage your body’s healing process.

What happens during a diabetic foot care visit?

At Podiatry Institute of the South, a diabetic foot care visit begins with a review of your medical records and a discussion of your lifestyle, including how long you’ve had diabetes, if you take any medication, and how well you keep your blood sugar in check.  

Next, your provider completes a podiatry exam. They look at your lower legs, ankles, feet, and toes for redness, swelling, or open wounds. Then, they gently press on the bottom of your feet with different tools to see if you have numbness. If you have a diabetic wound, your provider collects a biopsy sample and sends it to a lab for testing.

How can I reduce my risk of diabetes-related foot problems?

There’s no way to prevent diabetes-related foot problems entirely, but you can reduce your risk by keeping your blood sugar at healthy levels and checking your feet daily. The team at Podiatry Institute of the South Recommends regularly washing your feet, always wearing shoes and socks, and taking your diabetes medication as prescribed.

Call the nearest Podiatry Institute of the South office to receive diabetic foot care or book online today.