Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel N. Verville
March 18, 2020
With nearly 30 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, foot care for diabetic patients is truly vital to their overall well-being. That’s why it’s so important that Frisco patients with diabetes understand the importance of regular visits to a foot doctor like Dr. Verville of RNV Podiatry. After all, your feet provide the foundation on which you stand, walk, and run. If your diabetes causes foot problems, your foundation can weaken and leave you with a compromised lifestyle.
In this blog, we will discuss some of the most common foot problems caused by diabetes, and help you know when you should take action and seek the help of a board-certified foot doctor.
Common Foot Problems Caused by Diabetes
Diabetes is a health condition that is growing at a rate of more than one million new diagnoses every year. Because this condition is so prevalent in America, foot doctor, Dr. Verville, wants to make sure her Frisco patients are educated on what types of foot problems they may encounter as a result of their diabetes.
- Nerve damage (Diabetic Neuropathy)
This is one of the most common types of foot problems foot doctors encounter with their diabetic patients. Because diabetes can lead to nerve damage in the feet, patients are unable to detect pain. This means that small foot problems, like blisters or cuts, can lead to larger problems because they are left untreated.
- Reduced Blood Flow to Your Foot
Frisco patients with diabetes also experience slower circulation to their extremities. Adequate blood flow is needed for injuries to heal properly, so without it, sores, blisters, and cuts lead to infection and further problems.
- Diabetic ulcers
Another common condition that foot doctors often see in diabetic patients are diabetic ulcers, or a sore or break in the skin. If you have experienced a cut or minor scrape, be sure to let Dr. Verville evaluate it so you can stay healthy.
Again, if you have diabetes, Dr. Verville cannot stress enough the importance of performing regular examinations of your feet to ensure you catch any foot problems early. Extreme diabetic foot problems can occur if you do not seek early intervention from a foot doctor.
How to Know if You’re Suffering from Diabetic Foot
Frisco patients are diagnosed with diabetic foot if they have foot problems that are a direct result of their diabetes. Symptoms of diabetic foot often start off small and get worse over time if left untreated. Some of the symptoms are:
- Persistent and ongoing pain
- Redness around a sore or wound indicating infection
- Swollen foot, ankle, or leg signaling infection
If you experience any of the above symptoms or symptoms that you believe might be the result of diabetic foot, it is important that you call foot doctor, Dr. Verville, as soon as possible.
How a Foot Doctor Treats Foot Problems Associated with Diabetes
When Dr. Verville develops a treatment plan for your foot condition, she will carefully take into account your past and current health condition. She will spend ample time discussing your concerns, evaluating your problem area, and talking through a treatment plan focused on your specific needs.
Treatment for diabetic foot conditions can vary from patient to patient, but in general, foot doctor, Dr. Verville, will recommend a combination of the following:
- Physical therapy
- Rest
- Proper exercise
- Medication
- Possible surgery to repair damage to the joints
Call Dr. Verville About Your Diabetic Foot Problems Immediately
If you notice any sores, cuts, or blisters on your feet, be sure to call Dr. Verville immediately for an appointment. Early intervention from a foot doctor is key to quick healing and will protect you from experiencing worse problems down the line. Call a member of her friendly team in Frisco today at (214) 385-8822.
