The Importance of Regular Diabetic Foot Care

Healthcare includes your feet, which is why it's important to have a trusted podiatrist you can call on. Patients who have diabetes are especially encouraged to keep tabs on their feet since they sometimes have circulatory problems. If you're struggling with diabetic foot care, the doctors at New Age Foot & Ankle Surgery in Farmville and Richmond, VA, can help.

What Is Diabetic Foot Care?

Primary care doctors often refer their patients who have diabetes to a podiatrist because this disease can lead to problems with the limbs and feet if it isn't treated. Diabetes causes high sugar levels in the blood, which makes it difficult for blood to circulate to the legs and feet. Diabetic foot care is focused on monitoring the condition of the feet and ankles in affected patients and preventing wounds or nerve disorders.

Why Is Diabetic Foot Care Important?

One purpose of diabetic foot care is to avoid bone and muscle loss in the feet due to infections. If a diabetic patient has even a small cut on the foot or a toe that doesn’t heal in a timely fashion and becomes infected, it can progress to an ulcer that begins to degrade the skin, muscle tissue and eventually the bone. In an advanced case, an untreated, infected wound could cause loss of the affected limb. Diabetic foot care is also concerned with helping patients who may develop neuropathy (nerve damage) in the feet.

Common Treatments for Diabetic Patients

Prevention is the main goal of diabetic foot care administered by your Farmville and Richmond, VA, podiatrist. These are the most common treatments offered:

• Regular nail trimming to avoid ingrown toenails, which can create wounds on the toes.
• Safe removal of corns or calluses that could become irritated and infected.
• Treatment of existing cuts and wounds on the feet to avoid or eliminate infections.
• Prescription of custom orthotics or orthopedic shoes to protect and support the feet.

Diabetic Patients: Foot Care Matters

It's easy to get distracted by the nuances of everyday life to the point where you may neglect your foot health. If you are managing diabetes, you should see a podiatrist regularly. Prioritize diabetic foot care with the assistance of Dr. Asif Shah or Dr. Ehsan Khan at New Age Foot & Ankle Surgery in Farmville and Richmond, VA. Call the Richmond, VA, office by calling (804) 934-9340, or in Farmville, VA, by calling (434) 391-3668 today to schedule a visit.