Diabetic Foot Care

If you’re living with diabetes, you’re more likely to develop foot problems like open wounds, swelling, and nerve damage. Diabetic foot care can prevent these and other diabetes-related complications. The skilled podiatrists at Platte River Foot and Ankle Surgeons located throughout Nebraska, offer a range of diabetic foot care, including diabetic shoes, annual screenings, and more. To request your diabetic foot care appointment, call the office or request one online today.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a group of chronic diseases characterized by high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. Blood glucose is necessary for your survival — it fuels your brain and provides energy for the cells that make up your muscles and soft tissues.

When your blood sugar levels are too high for an extended period, it leads to serious health problems, including nerve damage, heart disease, and obesity.

Why is diabetic foot care important? 

Diabetic foot care is important because diabetes affects the circulation in your feet. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes damage your peripheral nerves and blood vessels. This increases your risk of slow-healing ulcers, infections, and, in severe cases, amputations.

If you don’t live a healthy lifestyle, regularly inspect your feet, and attend annual checkups, you are at higher risk of developing foot-related complications. By taking preventive measures, you can keep your blood sugar levels in check and live a long and active life.

Can I prevent diabetes-related foot problems?

If you’re living with diabetes, you can take several steps to lower your risk of complications. The doctors at Platte River Foot and Ankle Surgeons recommend:

• Wearing comfortable, closed-toed shoes
• Regularly washing your feet with warm water
• Inspecting your feet every day
• Trimming your toenails straight across

If you smoke, the team recommends that you quit. Smoking increases your risk of arteriosclerosis and causes poor circulation in your feet.

What’s included in diabetic foot care?

The doctors at Platte River Foot and Ankle Surgeons offer several types of diabetic foot care, including:

Routine foot care

Routine foot care for diabetics includes regular exams, prescription medications, and noninvasive treatments like debridement and wound care. The doctors at Platte River Foot and Ankle Surgeons can also provide you with nutrition tips and lifestyle insights that ease your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Diabetic shoes

Diabetic shoes feature extra padding and specially designed shoe inserts to lower your risk of flaking, peeling, and/or cracked skin. Diabetic shoes also protect your feet from cuts and blisters and promote healthy circulation.

Annual diabetic foot screenings

If you have diabetes, it’s important to have a comprehensive diabetic foot screening at least once a year. During this exam, your doctor reviews your medical history, asks you questions about your symptoms, and offers tips and insights to keep your diabetes in check.

To request your diabetic foot care appointment at Platte River Foot and Ankle Surgeons, call the office or request one online today.