Why do I need diabetic foot care?
Diabetic foot care is a personalized approach to your foot and ankle health to prevent foot wounds and intervene early on if anything is abnormal. You need routine diabetic foot care with a dedicated podiatrist to:
- Receive nail care for nail fungus, ingrown toenails, and other issues
- Prevent nerve damage and numbness (diabetic neuropathy)
- Get treatment for cuts or wounds (wound debridement)
The issue with diabetes is that blood circulation decreases, particularly in your feet. This area of your body is already prone to poor circulation due to the effects of gravity.
Because of the limited blood supply, your skin dries out, which can lead to cracks. Plus, skin tissues don’t get the nutrients and oxygen they need to heal quickly, so wounds stay open for an abnormal amount of time, which increases your risk of infection.
When should I have a diabetic foot care exam?
Whether you were recently diagnosed with diabetes or have been managing the condition for some time, Ankle and Foot Center of Florida can help. Dr. Gonzalez typically wants to examine your feet once a year. But you may need to make additional appointments if you:
- Notice a foot wound or ingrown toenail
- Continue developing corns or calluses
- Have red or warm spots on your foot
- See drainage or blood in your socks
Dr. Gonzalez may also want to have you check in two to three times per year, just as a precaution, if you have a history of diabetic foot wounds.
What happens during a diabetic foot care evaluation?
With his expertise and experience in diabetic wound care and limb salvage, Dr. Gonzalez is an established expert in diabetic foot care. He spends time talking with you about your diabetic condition and thoroughly examines your feet and ankles.
Depending on the outcome of your diabetic foot exam, Dr. Gonzalez may also:
- Trim your toenails
- Gather molds for custom orthotics
- Help you get fitted for diabetic shoes
- Remove corns and calluses caused by friction
If Dr. Gonzalez notices any wounds or signs of infection, he can treat them on the spot and talk with you about how to care for the wound at home to help it heal. He can also prescribe medications if you do have a foot infection.
For serious diabetic foot ulcers, Dr. Gonzalez may recommend a limb salvage procedure. He can remove damaged tissue and perform tissue grafts with the cutting-edge EpiFix® allograft, which serves as a scaffolding in which healthy new skin and connective tissues can grow.
Ankle and Foot Center of Florida provides comprehensive diabetic foot care services. You can conveniently book your diabetic foot exam through the website or over the phone.
