Diabetic foot ulcers are seen in diabetic patients with poorly controlled diabetes. Foot ulcers are formed due to the breakdown of skin tissues and it further exposes the underneath layers of the skin. It is commonly seen under big toes and under the balls of the feet. If diabetic foot ulcers remain untreated for a long time, they can cause infections. If the infection becomes serious, your doctor might need to remove your toe or part of your leg to stop the spread of the infection.
Though everyone with diabetes might experience diabetic foot ulcers, it can be prevented with proper care.
What Causes Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
The treatment is based on the cause of the foot ulcer. Hence, it is important to be aware of the most common causes of diabetic foot ulcers. The common causes include the following:
- High levels of blood sugar (Hyperglycemia): High sugar levels cause blood vessels to narrow down and thereby obstructs the distribution of blood to the tissues. Hence, high levels of glucose in the blood reduce the healing process of the infected foot ulcer.
- Poor circulation of blood: People with diabetes have more chances of developing vascular disease where blood flow to the feet and legs gets restricted. This will have a great impact on diabetic foot ulcer. This is because it affects the healing ability of your body.
- Nerve damage: If the blood sugar levels are uncontrolled, it can damage your nerves. It can cause numbness in the feet. Nerve damage causes severe pain and foot pain becomes very sensitive. This further causes ulcers.
- Immune system problems: Blood sugar slows down the immunity system and hence reduces your body’s ability to remove dead tissues. In case of an injury or a wound, it also prevents from generating new skin cells. Hence, your body cannot send white blood cells to fight against diabetic foot ulcer.
- Infections: Diabetic patients have weak immunity systems and hence they are more prone to infections. Therefore, diabetic patients have higher chances of developing a wound as a diabetic foot ulcer.
Diagnosis for Diabetic Foot Ulcer
To diagnose diabetic foot ulcers, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and will try to understand if your diabetes is in control. He will examine your toes, feet, and legs by touching them and determine if there is any numbness in that regions. He may also conduct tests such as X-rays, MRI to look deeper into your skin through images.
How is Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treated?
A diabetic foot ulcer is treated in different ways. Your doctor might recommend you to wear foot braces, compressions wraps, etc. to protect your feet. The doctor may also use a procedure called debridement to remove the infected skin. Medications will also be prescribed to prevent the further spread of the infection.
If the medications do not work, surgery might be required where the infected bone and soft tissues will be removed. In most cases, it can be treated with medications and you do not require surgery.
Have a Diabetic Foot Ulcer? Meet Dr Pradyumna Reddy Today
Dr Pradyumna Reddy has been working as a vascular surgeon in Hyderabad for several years and has gained popularity for his good services. He is an expertise at diagnosing and treating diabetic foot ulcers. The Treatment for Diabetic Foot Ulcers varies from one patient to another. To suggest the right treatment for you, Dr Pradyumna Reddy will determine the cause of the treatment. For effective treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, call us today to schedule your appointment.
