Among patients with diabetes, more than 80 percent of amputations begin with a foot ulcer. If a foot ulcer doesn’t receive early treatment it can become infected, and amputation will be necessary to prevent the infection from spreading. Although this may sound scary, the good news is that foot ulcers are preventable with proper diabetes management and foot care.

Are You At a Higher Risk?

In my experience, there are factors that can increase a patient’s risk of amputation. Factors that increase your risk are:

High blood sugar levels
Smoking
Nerve damage in your feet
Calluses or corns
Foot deformities
Poor blood circulation to the extremities
A history of foot ulcers
A past amputation
Vision impairment
Kidney disease
High blood pressure, above 140/80 mmHg

Preventing Foot Ulcers

The best way to prevent foot ulcers is with a combination of proper diabetes management and foot care. Proper diabetes management consists of a healthy diet, regular exercise, monitoring your blood sugar, and following your prescribed medication regimen. For proper foot care here are my tips:

Inspect your feet daily. For patients who have trouble reaching their feet, I suggest using a hand mirror to see their feet and perform a thorough inspection.
Wash your feet daily. Use lukewarm water once a day, and don’t forget to dry in between your toes.
Trim your toenails carefully. Trim your nails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails.
Don’t walk anywhere barefoot. Walking barefoot increases your risk of injury, even walking barefoot around the house.
Wear clean, dry socks. Avoid wearing socks that are tight-fitting or have seams that could irritate your skin and cause wounds.
Buy properly fitting shoes. Buy comfortable, supportive shoes. Avoid tight-fitting shoes and high heels.
Don’t smoke. Smoking affects circulation and reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood. These circulation issues can affect the healing process of your wounds increasing your risk of infection.
Schedule regular foot exams. I can inspect your feet for early signs of nerve damage, poor circulation or other foot problems.

Signs Of Trouble

Here is a list of symptoms you should keep a diligent eye on:

Ingrown toenails
Blisters
Plantar warts on the soles of your feet
Athlete’s foot
An open sore or bleeding
Swelling
Redness
Warmth in one area
Pain
Discolored skin
A bad odor
An ulcer that lasts longer than one to two weeks
An ulcer bigger than 3/4 inch
A sore that doesn’t quickly start to heal
An ulcer so deep you can see your bone

These symptoms are serious and need to be addressed immediately.

What If Amputation Is The Only Option?

Treatment for foot ulcers is dependent on the severity of the wound. My first priority for my patients with diabetic foot ulcers is limb salvage. Through my work with limb salvage, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern NY, I have been able to not only help patients avoid amputation but to also work with them on an individual basis to create a custom-made treatment plan to ensure their overall health.

However, if you wait too long for treatment, limb salvage may not be an option and amputation may become necessary. An amputation could require the removal of a toe, foot or part of the leg.

When performing an amputation I remove the damaged tissue and preserve as much healthy tissue as possible. After surgery, you’ll be hospitalized and monitored for a few days. The healing process usually takes four to six weeks.

Diabetic foot ulcers are preventable if you properly manage your diabetes and take proper care of your feet. If however, you do have a foot ulcer the key to preventing an amputation is early intervention. With early intervention, limb salvage is a plausible treatment option for diabetic foot ulcers. If you’re experiencing any of the signs or symptoms listed above please contact my office to make an appointment at your earliest convenience.

If your diabetes is affecting your feet there could be serious life-altering complications. If you notice tingling or any of the changes listed above please give my office a call today to make an appointment. Early intervention is key to preventing serious damage to your feet.

River Podiatry, with locations in Pearl River NY, and Midland Park NJ, provides comprehensive, treatment of patients with podiatric issues. The practice specializes in foot surgery and the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Expect the best possible care utilizing the most modern techniques. Make an appointment today with Rockland County and Bergen County podiatrist Dr. Han!

AMPUTATION & DIABETES: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FEET