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Diabetes Related Foot Ulcer or Wound Conditions and Treatment to Help
Diabetes Related Foot Ulcer or Wound
Diabetes causes many complications, and your feet are highly susceptible. A diabetic foot ulcer or wound can occur if your diabetes isn’t well managed via diet, exercise and medication in combination with reduced sensation (feeling) or decreased circulation. Diabetes related foot ulcers can occur on the soles, heels, or toes.
Conditions
Diabetes Related foot ulcers or wounds are commonly found on the bottoms of your feet, or high-pressure spots. Wounds or ulcers affect the skin, tissue, muscles or even bones, with the possibility of infection. Those with diabetes can develop ulcerations, but routine footcare care and monitoring can reduce your chances of them.
Diabetes Related Foot Ulcer and Diabetic Toe Ulcer Causes
Ulcers can be identified by a break in the skin, with possible drainage. In some cases, the area may not be painful.
Diabetes related foot ulcer causes {may} include:
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can complicate the healing process of an infected foot ulcer. People with Type 2 diabetes often have a harder time fighting off infections from foot ulcers.
- Nerve damage reduces your sensitivity to foot pain or pressures and can cause skin breakdown leading to an ulcer.
- Poor circulation happens when blood doesn’t properly flow to an area, such as your feet, making it difficult for a diabetic foot ulcer to heal.
Common Diabetes Related Foot Ulcer Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of a diabetic foot ulcer are not always clear. Certain signs or symptoms may not be present until the ulcer has become infected.
- Early stage it may include hard tissue or callus on an area of your foot, blistering, clear or red drainage, redness, or unusual swelling around an area.
- Later stages or infected ulcer signs may include an opening taking a long time to close, yellow or even green drainage, unpleasant odour, tracking redness, swelling and possible pain.
- Gangrene is a serious sign where tissue death has occurred. It requires immediate attention.
Diabetes Related Foot Ulcer Treatment
Alongside blood glucose monitoring, starting ulcer treatment early can help prevent ulcers on feet from causing further complications. Often, leg ulcers can be present alongside foot ulcers due to swelling or edema. Leg ulcer healing can be further complicated from uncontrolled blood sugars or high blood pressure. and can help reduce the risk of diabetic leg ulcers.
Chiropody foot ulcer treatment can include the following:
Debridement
Debridement is a treatment where tissue is removed to clean out the ulcer or wound. LMC Chiropodists recommend this procedure when it’s necessary to help assess the wound, help with wound healing, and monitor for signs of infection. If signs of infection are present, our Chiropodists can help with the prescription of an oral antibiotic, and proper wound dressing instructions.
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Monitoring
Regular monitoring and maintenance are encouraged during treatment. Monitoring foot pressures, drainage, temperature, smell, and size are essential to ensure healing and watching for infection.
Some of the ways to help with monitoring treatment at home include:
- Checking your feet for the signs of infection your Chiropodist discussed with you
- Dressing changes by a trained family member or medical support staff
- Taking photos, if possible, to track progress.
Offloading
One of the ways to manage a foot ulcer is to stay off your feet. This is called offloading and works for all forms of diabetes related foot ulcers. Pressure from walking can make the wound/ulcer bigger, which can make you more prone to infection. Putting less pressure on the area can help with healing.
Some offloading foot items LMC Chiropodists may recommend include:
- Shoes designed for people with diabetes
- Custom orthotics or shoe inserts to manage corns and callouses.
- Total contact casts, walking boots or Braces in severe cases.
- Compression wraps to help with swelling/edema.
Why Choose LMC
We are part of one of Canada’s largest teams of Medical Specialists and treat the most complex foot conditions, such as diabetic wounds, daily. It makes simple cases such as heel pain (plantar fasciitis) and plantar warts easily handled by our experts.
Trail Blazers
LMC Healthcare has one of the largest research divisions in North America, Centricity Research. Our Chiropodists (Footcare Specialists) have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge foot health research and new treatment approaches.
Members of the Approved Provider Network (APN)
LMC Healthcare is one of a handful of the most skilled and trusted footcare providers included in the APN. It allows us to be exclusive providers for various hospitals and insurance companies in Ontario.
Collaborative and Convenient Approach
While a referral is not required to see our Chiropodists, we keep your family physician informed every step of the way with assessment and treatment summaries.
You also never have to wait long for an appointment! We have eight easily accessible locations in Ontario. Brampton, Vaughan, Oakville, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Midtown Toronto, Barrie, Ottawa, with more coming soon.
Contact Us About Your Foot or Heel Pain
Book an Appointment | LMC Healthcare
Helping you understand and ease your foot or heel pain
Helping you understand and ease your foot or heel pain
Do you have questions about your foot health? Call us today to find out how our specialists can help!
Phone: 1-844-562-3668
Easily book an appointment online with one of our specialists today to help with your foot health needs
Email us to set up an appointment and find out how our specialists can help improve your foot health!
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