Diabetic Foot Ulcers are a Serious Condition

Foot pain can seriously impact your daily routine and in certain cases change your life. In particular, diabetic foot ulcers can lead to potentially severe conditions. These ulcers usually occur on the bottom of feet and afflict diabetics. If left untreated, they can turn into infections and sometimes require amputation. The Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists can help to treat this condition and potentially prevent major surgery such as amputation.

Diabetic foot ulcers are openings in the skin on the underside of feet that reveal the tissue beneath. There are different types that you should know about:

• Neuropathic ulcers are related to numbness in the foot. Diabetes generally causes numbing in the foot, and minor cuts can turn into these ulcers because there is a general lack in sensitivity that would prevent someone from realizing they have an exposed ulcer.

• Ischemic ulcers result from a lack of blood flow and are difficult to heal due to the decreased blood flow.

• A combination of the above ulcers can result from the foot being numb while simultaneously experiencing a lack of blood flow.

There are several treatments that could help prevent amputation:

• Removal of the infected skin from the ulcer via surgical tools.

• Use of a surrounding safety material such as a removable boot that can decrease pressure around the ulcer. 

• The area around the wound where the Ulcer is treated can be covered with ointments or other special dressings.

• There may be other treatments to help increase blood flow around the ulcer for those who have reduced blood flow.

For those diabetics, whose foot ulcers do not heal in a timely manner, amputation may be necessary as 1 in 5 of those with this condition require amputation. Treatment provided by Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists will provide you with the best chance of preventing amputation. If you are a diabetic experiencing foot ulcers, take the opportunity to visit with one of the experienced podiatrists at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists to receive the best option for treatment and recovery.

With locations in Tucson, Oro Valley, and Green Valley areas of Pima County, Arizona, we have vast experience treating issues of the ankles and feet. Our team of doctors: Christoper M. Funk, D.P.M., FACFAS, Bradley A. Whitaker, D.P.M., FACFAS, and Peter C.Merrill, D.P.M., AACFAS, and Zeno Pfau, D.P.M., will offer the greatest in technologically advanced methods and cutting edge medical treatments. Please call 520-575-0800 and make an appointment.