Expert Diabetic Care
Diabetes and Your Feet
While open sores on the foot— called ulcers—are the most common diabetes-related foot problem, serious conditions such as neuropathy, skin changes, calluses, poor circulation, and infection are also prevalent. The nerve damage that diabetes causes may mean a person with an ulcer or injury may be unaware of it until it becomes infected. Infection can lead to partial or full amputation of the foot or lower leg.
More than 65,000 lower limbs are amputated annually due to complications from diabetes.
After an amputation, the chance of another amputation within three to five years is as high as 50 percent. Including a podiatrist in your diabetes care can reduce the risk of lower limb amputation up to 85 percent and lower the risk of hospitalization by 24 percent.
Diabetes Warning Signs:
- Skin color changes
- Swelling of the foot or ankle
- Numbness in the feet or toes
- Pain in the legs
- Open sores on the feet that are slow to heal
- Ingrown and fungal toenails
- Bleeding corns and calluses
- Dry cracks in the skin, especially around the heel
The keys to amputation prevention are early recognition and regular foot screenings performed by a podiatrist, the foot and ankle expert.
Dr. Fernando Fernandez has specialized training in wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy and has extensive experience in diabetic foot related complications, including treatment of diabetic foot wounds. Through regular screenings and careful foot monitoring, his goals are to successfully treat diabetic foot problems and to guide patients through the steps necessary to avoid serious diabetic foot complications in the future so that they may enjoy a full and active life.