Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetic foot care can help you cope with diabetic neuropathy, foot wounds, and other frustrating disease complications using nonsurgical and minimally invasive approaches. At Zimmermann Podiatry, the compassionate and down-to-earth providers, led by experienced podiatrist Erik Zimmermann, DPM, focus on helping you get back to optimal health so you can enjoy an active life again. Call the Leesburg, Florida, office or book your appointment using online scheduling now.

What does diabetes do to the feet?

Diabetes commonly causes several issues in the feet, including:

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves in your feet. Diabetes is the main cause of peripheral neuropathy because high blood sugar damages the nerves. About 6 in 10 people with diabetes develop peripheral neuropathy. Traumatic injuries, toxin exposure, and other factors may also cause peripheral neuropathy. 

Peripheral neuropathy causes foot problems such as:

• Burning
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness
• Balance issues
• Falls

Damage happens gradually, and by the time you have symptoms, you may have severe nerve damage. 

Foot ulcers

Foot ulcers are slow-to-heal wounds that start because of peripheral neuropathy. Most people who have neuropathy can’t detect sensation, so they commonly develop small injuries — for example, stepping on a sharp rock — without knowing it. 

If you don't know that there’s an injury, you ignore it — and an ignored injury, especially one you're walking on, can rapidly worsen. 

Poor circulation is common in people with diabetes, and that makes the healing situation even worse. With inadequate blood reaching your feet, a wound can worsen and become a nonhealing ulcer. Ulcers that go untreated can even lead to amputation.

Up to one-quarter of people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime. Your risk of foot ulcers increases as you age, so in your senior years it’s more vital than ever to have good diabetic foot care.

What is diabetic foot care?

Diabetic foot care focuses on preventive foot care. Regular foot health exams at Zimmermann Podiatry screen your feet, ankles, and lower legs for symptoms. Your exams may also include testing to assess nerve health and circulation. 

Along with exams, diabetic foot care focuses on education about diabetes and how to prevent disease complications. 

If you develop a diabetes-related foot problem, the team focuses on healing with a conservative nonsurgical approach, always aiming to get you back to optimal health without surgery. 

How often should I have diabetic foot care?

Visit Zimmermann Podiatry at least once a year for a diabetic foot care checkup. Reach out to the caring team if you develop a new wound or are concerned about your foot health. They can help with wound healing, pain relief, mobility issues, and any other issue diabetes causes in the feet.

Zimmermann Podiatry can keep your feet happy and healthy, so call the office or click the online scheduler now.