Maria had been managing her diabetes for years, but she never paid much attention to her feet—until she developed a small wound that refused to heal. By the time she saw a podiatrist, the wound had become infected, putting her at risk for serious complications.
This story is all too common among people with diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels can damage nerves and blood vessels over time, resulting in reduced sensation and impaired circulation in the feet. As a result, even minor foot problems can quickly escalate into severe infections, ulcers, and potential amputation.
At Marvel Foot & Ankle Centers, we're dedicated to helping patients throughout Chandler and Gilbert avoid these devastating complications. Our podiatrists offer comprehensive diabetic foot care, combining preventive strategies, advanced wound care, and limb preservation treatments. With two convenient locations and same-day appointments for urgent concerns, we make it easy to prioritize your foot health.
How Diabetes Impacts Foot Health
Diabetes can affect your feet in several ways, increasing your risk for serious complications:
- Peripheral neuropathy. High blood sugar can damage the nerves in your feet, causing numbness, tingling, or burning sensations. This loss of sensation makes it difficult to detect injuries or sores.
- Poor circulation. Diabetes can narrow and harden the arteries that supply blood to your feet, reducing circulation. Without adequate blood flow, wounds heal slowly and are more prone to infection.
- Immune system impairment. Diabetes can weaken your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections. Even a small cut or blister can quickly progress to a severe infection.
- Foot deformities. Nerve damage can cause muscles in the feet to weaken and atrophy, leading to structural changes such as bunions, hammer toe, or Charcot foot. These deformities create pressure points that are vulnerable to sores.
These risk factors demonstrate the importance of proactive diabetic foot care and regular visits to a podiatrist.
The Importance of Regular Diabetic Foot Exams
One of the most critical aspects of diabetic foot care is having your feet examined by a podiatrist at least once a year, and more frequently if you have additional risk factors. During a diabetic foot exam, your podiatrist will:
- Check your feet visually. Your doctor will look for any changes in skin color, texture, or temperature, as well as signs of injury, infection, corns, calluses, or toenail problems.
- Test your sensation. Using a special tool called a monofilament, your podiatrist will check for any loss of feeling in your feet, which can indicate nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy).
- Assess your circulation. Your doctor will feel for pulses in your feet and may use Doppler ultrasound to evaluate blood flow. Poor circulation can impair wound healing.
- Screen for deformities. Foot deformities, such as bunions, hammer toes, and Charcot foot, can increase pressure on specific areas, leading to sores and ulcers. Catching these issues early allows for preventive care.
- Evaluate your shoes. Ill-fitting or worn-out shoes are a significant contributor to diabetic foot problems. Your podiatrist will check your footwear and recommend appropriate styles.
At Marvel Foot & Ankle Centers, we use advanced diagnostic tools to thoroughly assess your foot health and create personalized care plans. Our state-of-the-art vascular testing equipment enables us to detect even subtle changes in circulation, allowing for early intervention.
Preventing Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Foot ulcers are one of the most common and serious diabetic foot complications. These open sores typically develop on pressure points, such as the ball of the foot or the bottom of the big toe. To prevent ulcers:
- Inspect your feet daily for any cuts, sores, blisters, redness, or swelling. Use a mirror to see the bottoms of your feet.
- Wash your feet daily in warm (not hot) water, and dry them gently, especially between the toes.
- Apply moisturizer to keep skin supple, but avoid getting lotion between your toes.
- Wear well-fitting, supportive shoes and seamless socks. Never go barefoot, even indoors.
- Promptly treat any foot wounds, and consult your podiatrist if a sore does not improve after a few days.
In addition to these self-care measures, our podiatrists offer preventive services like custom orthotics and diabetic shoes. These specialized devices redistribute pressure, reduce friction, and provide extra support to prevent sores from developing.
Advanced Wound Care for Non-Healing Ulcers
Despite preventive measures, foot ulcers can still develop. Our podiatrists offer the latest wound care treatments to promote healing and prevent infection, including:
- Debridement. Removing dead or infected tissue allows healthy tissue to grow. We offer surgical and non-surgical debridement methods.
- Offloading. Specialized casts, boots, or inserts redistribute pressure off the wound, allowing it to heal.
- Topical treatments. Advanced dressings and gels help maintain the optimal moisture balance for healing while preventing infection.
- Regenerative medicine. Innovative treatments, such as extracorporeal shockwave therapy, adipose tissue grafts, and platelet-rich plasma therapy, stimulate the body's natural healing processes.
Our wound care specialists create customized treatment plans based on the size, depth, and location of the ulcer, as well as your overall health status. We also provide extensive patient education on proper wound care techniques and signs of infection to empower you in your healing journey.
Managing Diabetic Neuropathy and Foot Pain
Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication that can cause significant foot pain, burning, or tingling sensations. At Marvel Foot & Ankle Centers, we offer several pain management options to help alleviate your discomfort:
- Medications. Over-the-counter pain relievers, topical creams, and prescription medications can help control neuropathic pain.
- Custom orthotics. Specially designed shoe inserts can redistribute pressure and provide cushioning to reduce pain and prevent sores.
- Remy laser therapy. This cutting-edge treatment uses concentrated light energy to stimulate healing, reduce inflammation, and provide pain relief. It's a safe and non-invasive option that can be used in conjunction with other therapies.
- Nerve decompression surgery. In some cases, relieving pressure on compressed nerves through minimally invasive surgery can significantly reduce neuropathic pain.
Our podiatrists will work with you to develop a personalized pain management plan that considers your specific symptoms, lifestyle, and treatment preferences.
Preserving Limbs Through Reconstructive Surgery
In severe cases, diabetic foot complications can lead to potential amputation. However, our skilled podiatric surgeons can often prevent limb loss through reconstructive surgical procedures, including:
- Diabetic foot reconstruction. Correcting deformities and realigning bones can relieve pressure points and promote proper foot function.
- Peripheral nerve decompression. Relieving pressure on compressed nerves can improve sensation and reduce neuropathic pain.
- Revascularization. Restoring blood flow through bypass grafts or angioplasty can improve circulation and prevent tissue death.
Our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible to reduce post-operative pain and speed up recovery times. We also work closely with vascular specialists and wound care teams to ensure comprehensive, coordinated care for the best possible outcomes.
The Marvel Foot & Ankle Centers Difference
At Marvel Foot & Ankle Centers, we understand the unique challenges of managing diabetes and maintaining foot health. That's why we've designed our practice to provide the highest level of diabetic foot care, including:
- Convenient locations. With two offices in Chandler and Gilbert, AZ exceptional care is never far away.
- Same-day appointments. We reserve time in our daily schedules for patients with urgent needs, ensuring prompt attention for wounds or infections.
- Advanced technology. From digital X-rays and ultrasound imaging to the latest wound care products, we invest in cutting-edge tools to deliver the best possible outcomes.
- Collaborative approach. We work hand-in-hand with your primary care physician, endocrinologist, and other healthcare providers to ensure seamless, holistic care.
- Patient education. We believe informed patients are healthier patients. We take the time to teach you about proper foot care, wound prevention, and warning signs to watch for.
Living with diabetes requires vigilant foot care, but you don't have to manage it alone. The skilled podiatrists at Marvel Foot & Ankle Centers are here to partner with you in preventing diabetic complications and maintaining optimal foot health.
