For those with diabetes, it is important to maintain controlled blood sugar (glucose) levels for a variety of reasons, including optimal foot health. For the diabetic patient, one of the problems that can affect the feet is diabetic neuropathy. Uncontrolled diabetes can damage nerves, and if you have damaged nerves in your feet, you may not feel pain, heat, or cold. This lack of feeling means you do not feel a cut or sore on the foot because of the neuropathy, which means the wound could get worse and become infected.

Since diabetes affects the flow of blood, another problem that can affect the foot is peripheral vascular disease. This disease includes poor blood flow, which means it takes longer for a wound to heal. This is a cause for concern if the cut or sore on the foot goes undetected, which leaves you at risk for developing an infection that could eventually turn into an ulcer or gangrene. It is recommended to visit a podiatrist at least annually to receive a diabetic foot exam, and it is always important to seek medical attention if you have a wound that does not heal or looks infected.
We at Parkway Foot & Ankle provide comprehensive diabetic foot care, including diabetic foot exams, diabetic ulcer care, and the dispensing and fitting of diabetic shoes and inserts.