Diabetes

How does diabetes affect the feet?

Complications of diabetes include nerve damage, poor circulation, and increased vulnerability to infection. That means taking care of your feet is more complex if you have diabetes than if you don’t. A foot problem that may be minor for someone without diabetes has the potential to become a serious medical concern if you don’t take proper precautions.

Diabetes causes wounds to heal slowly and worsen more quickly. Even a small blister or wound may become seriously infected, and could lead to amputation.

If you have nerve damage from diabetes, also known as diabetic neuropathy, you may eventually lose the feeling in your feet, including your ability to feel pain, heat, or cold. In order to address foot wounds, you need to inspect your feet at least twice daily. Otherwise, you may not know you have a wound.

In addition to reducing or eliminating the feeling in your feet, diabetes can cause dry, cracked skin. This itself is another cause of wounds and infections that can start out small and progress to serious infections.

How do I prevent diabetic foot complications?

The best way to prevent complications of diabetes, including those affecting the feet, is to manage your diabetes effectively, including by exercising, eating a healthy, balanced diet, and taking medications or supplemental insulin.

Though diabetes management can prevent many diabetic foot problems, it’s still crucial to take good care of your feet, including washing and drying them thoroughly. At least twice a day, you should inspect your feet and toes for:

• Puncture wounds
• Bruises
• Redness
• Cuts
• Scratches
• Blisters
• Ulcers

If you notice signs of these issues, however small, be sure to schedule an appointment at Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center as soon as possible. Be sure to tell your podiatrist if you’ve experienced any swelling or bruising in your feet.

Your podiatrist may perform a vascular evaluation to determine if there’s damage or blockage in the arteries in your feet and legs. This measures your risk of diabetic foot ulcers and infections because you have a harder time healing from wounds if you’ve sustained damage to your arteries.

How can diabetic shoes and orthotics help?

Your footwear is a necessary part of your diabetic foot care routine. Wearing therapeutic shoes or custom-made orthotics designed for people with diabetes can protect the skin on your feet from wounds while providing comfortable support. Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center offers custom-fitted diabetic shoes, with features that include:

• A soft, padded interior with no stitching that could irritate your feet
• Soft, stretchable uppers
• Orthotic soles that support the arches of your feet while reducing pressure points
• Extra room for your toes to prevent crowding and deformities
• Wide widths

Diabetic foot care, including diabetic shoes, is crucial to living comfortably with diabetes and preventing complications. To schedule an appointment at Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center, call or use the online booking tool.