Diabetic Foot Care Specialist

What is diabetic foot care?

Diabetic foot care is podiatric care expressly for people with diabetes.

At DFW Foot and Ankle, podiatrist Dr. Suh is a highly experienced diabetic foot care specialist who tailors care to your particular foot health needs, whether you simply need regular monitoring or require advanced care. 

How does diabetes affect the feet?

If you have diabetes, you have a high chance of developing both nerve and circulatory issues. 

Nerve issues

About half of those with diabetes have peripheral neuropathy — nerve damage that often affects the feet. 

A significant number of diabetics with peripheral neuropathy develop loss of protective sensation (LOPS), which means you can’t feel the warning signs of pain when you have a foot abrasion, cut, burn, or another type of injury.

With LOPS, it’s common to make a foot injury worse by walking on it. This is particularly common with injuries on the bottom of the feet, where you don’t always see them. Injuries can quickly worsen, and circulatory issues compound the problem.

If you experience LOPS, you’re twice as likely to have a foot ulcer and three times more likely to need a lower extremity amputation. 

Circulatory issues

About 30%-40% of diabetics over 50 experience peripheral arterial disease (PAD), in which artery narrowing reduces the blood circulation in your legs and feet. Without an adequate blood supply, you don’t receive the oxygen and nutrients needed for healing injuries. 

When you combine the effects of LOPS with PAD, you can develop rapidly growing wounds that can’t heal. These wounds can soon ulcerate, and could potentially cause tissue death and even limb loss if not treated early. 

What does diabetic foot care involve?

Personalized diabetic foot care at DFW Foot and Ankle includes:

• Diabetic foot screenings
• Neuropathy testing
• Circulatory testing
• Prescription diabetic shoes
• Custom orthotics
• Foot care education
• Routine foot care like nail trims and corn and callus removal
• Advanced foot care like wound care and salvage surgery

Dr. Suh recommends diabetic foot care appointments every 2-3 months to stay on top of your foot health and prevent complications. 

If you have a new foot problem, like an ingrown toenail, bunion, or toenail fungus, schedule an additional appointment as soon as possible to prevent the problem from leading to a foot ulcer or other complications.

DFW Foot and Ankle is here to help you manage your foot health and prevent serious complications from diabetes. Call the office or use online scheduling to arrange your appointment now.