Diabetes is a chronic condition that can affect foot health. Diabetic patients can have problems with circulation and experience numbness and tingling in the feet. They can also develop cuts that turn into slow-healing ulcers. Every minor issue can become magnified by the presence of uncontrolled diabetes.
Diabetic foot problems need to be properly cared for, and guidance and proper treatment should be administered by a podiatrist to prevent further complications. Podiatrists are healthcare professionals who specialize in treating conditions related to the feet and ankles.
Below, we talk about the different podiatry services available for diabetic patients.
Routine Foot Care
Podiatrists can perform regular check-ups on your feet, which include examining them for signs of open wounds, infection, or injury, and trimming your nails properly, so they don’t grow into the skin. Corns and calluses, fungal infections, and ingrown nails can all lead to complications for someone with diabetes.
Diabetic Shoes
Special shoes designed specifically for diabetics help protect against pressure points that could lead to wounds and ulcers. Diabetic shoes also feature extra cushioning along a wider toe box, with special insoles designed specifically with diabetics in mind, all of which help minimize the risk of foot pain and injuries, as well as the aggravation of existing issues.
Custom Orthotics
Customized shoe inserts known as orthotics help correct abnormal foot mechanics, which can increase the risk of complications in people with diabetes. The correction provided by custom orthotics helps diabetics have greater comfort while on their feet.
Surgery and Wound Care
Podiatrists are also trained in the treatment of complications from diabetic foot, such as ankle arthropathy, Charcot foot, peripheral vascular disease, non-healing wounds, and infection. They can apply proper wound care to infected diabetic foot wounds and perform surgery to repair damaged joints and bones and remove diseased tissue.
Podiatrists can also perform limb-salvaging techniques to preserve a damaged foot, as well as amputation, which is necessary when a foot that has succumbed to gangrene.
Education and Advice
Podiatrists also give preventive care and provide education to diabetic patients about proper diet and exercise (which can help with treating peripheral vascular disease),as well as how to properly care for their feet, which can go a long way in preventing diabetes complications.
Diabetic Foot Care in San Antonio, Boerne, Hondo, Floresville, Kenedy, Uvalde, and Live Oak, TX
By having access to highly qualified podiatrists, diabetic patients in San Antonio and the surrounding communities can keep their feet as healthy as possible and prevent limb loss.
For superior diabetic foot care services, choose The Podiatry Group of South Texas. We are committed to helping improve your quality of life with personalized and highly advanced treatments for diabetic foot issues and complications. Having diabetes can sometimes feel lonely, but you can trust that our doctors will serve you with respect and compassion and make a big difference in your life.
Our podiatrists treat patients in all 8 locations in San Antonio, Boerne, Floresville, Hondo, Kenedy, Live Oak, and Uvalde. For any questions or to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist, call our office nearest you or use our online form to book your appointment.
