Diabetic Neuropathy and Ulcers
 

Diabetes is becoming more and more common, mostly due to the increased overweight population in America. Many times,
a podiatrist is the first to diagnose diabetes secondary to an issue that arises in the feet. Diabetes related issues include numbness, non-healing wounds, and chronic infection. It is essential that all people with diabetes see a podiatrist regularly and our doctors at Gentle Touch Foot Care will be more than happy to provide you with the proper diabetic foot care.
 

According to the American Diabetes Association, about 15.7 million people (5.9 percent of the US population) have diabetes. When diabetes is present, higher blood glucose levels can damage a whole range of body tissues and organs.

To diagnose diabetic peripheral neuropathy, the foot and ankle surgeon will obtain the patient’s history of symptoms and will perform simple in-office tests on the feet and legs. This evaluation may include assessment of the patient’s reflexes, ability to feel light touch, and ability to feel vibration. In some cases, additional neurologic tests may be ordered.
 

Because of these issues, diabetics are more prone issues such as: completely insensitive foot, foot ulcers, foot deformities like Charcot foot, and persistent infections in the feet. The best course of action is to prevent all of these problems from occurring and see Dr. Marin for an immediate consultation of your feet.
 

Gentle Touch Foot Care will play an important role in the prevention and management of complications of the foot in those with diabetes. Advice will be given on how to reduce the chance of damage occurring, how to prevent it and what to do if something goes wrong. Regular foot care from a podiatrist is a key way to prevent problems from developing in those who are at risk. Diabetic shoes and insoles are another way to manage pressures beneath the feet that could become ulcers.

Don’t wait to call our office if something goes wrong. Waiting a few days to see what happens can be the difference between a good outcome and a poor outcome. The more proactive you are with early prevention and treatment the better off you will be with less of a chance for unnecessary complications.

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