Preventing and Treating Foot Ulcers | Amputation Prevention Centers

Treating Foot Ulcers
With foot ulcers occurring in approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes. Preventing and treating foot ulcers when they occur can be an important part of your health routine.

In addition to foot ulcers, if you have diabetes, your risk of amputation is 28 times higher than someone without the condition. Consequently, successfully avoiding foot ulcers or ensuring prompt healing can help you avoid the problem.

Preventing Foot Ulcers

Staving off a foot ulcer is the most beneficial option. To ward them off, follow these steps:

  1. Manage blood sugar: Before eating keep your blood sugar at 80-130 mg/dL before meals and under 180 mg/dL after. A healthy blood sugar level encourages faster healing.
  2. Pamper your feetConduct daily foot inspections, using a mirror to see the bottoms of your feet, if necessary. Look for cracks, cuts, blisters, and other signs of wounds. Wash your feet daily with mild soap and warm water. Dry thoroughly, especially between your toes, and apply talcum powder to deter blisters.
  3. Pick the right shoes: Select shoes that are tight enough to keep fabric from rubbing your skin, causing an ulcer. But, choose ones loose enough to not crowd your toes and be comfortable. If you need them, choose orthopedic shoes that can be custom fitted to the size, shape, and contours of your feet.
  4. Don’t light up: Don’t smoke. It reduces your circulation, making your blood flow problems worse. It can also decrease the feeling in your feet.
  5. See your doctor: Have a foot exam at least once a year to inspect your feet for circulatory issues, early signs of nerve damage, or other foot problems.

 

Treating Foot Ulcers

If you do develop a foot ulcer, there are therapeutic options available. Discuss the best tactic with your doctor.

  1. Debridement: This is the surgical removal of unhealthy tissue and bacteria from the wound in order to promote healing.
  2. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): HBOT works by delivering 100% pure oxygen to a patient through increased atmospheric pressure in a large, clear, acrylic chamber. This increased oxygen absorption enhances the body’s ability to heal.
  3. Living Cellular Skin Substitute: This therapy consists of the application of products made of living cells and proteins that can, over time, stimulate wound healing.

Within 4 weeks, if you haven’t healed — or if you have developed a bone infection — consult your doctor.

Be aware, foot ulcers can start small with a callus or a blister. Be sure the keep your weight off the affected foot as much as possible to avoid any worsening of your ulcer. Be vigilant. The soft tissue of your foot is susceptible to infection, so any problems can spread to muscle and bone quickly. If you notice any changes or problems, contact your doctor. Delayed treatment can slow down healing and even lead to amputation.

Contact the Amputation Prevention Centers of America for more information on preventing and treating foot ulcers.

Diabetes

What are diabetic foot ulcers?

Often people ask me, “What are diabetic foot ulcers and why are they so harmful?” So I am here to help you understand what they are, why they occur, and why they can be dangerous.

What is a diabetic foot ulcer?

A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore on your foot that fails to heal. They often occur on the bottom of your feet but can occur anywhere skin or tissue breaks down or is cut open.

Why do diabetic foot ulcers occur?

Normally, if you injure your foot, you feel pain that alerts you to the injury. You then take steps to treat it: clean the wound, apply a bandage and perhaps ointment, and replace poor fitting shoes if that is the underlying problem. Your body continues the healing process and your foot heals well.

But when you have diabetes, your natural healing process and pain reflexes can be disrupted. If you develop poor circulation in your legs and feet (peripheral arterial disease or PAD), have high blood sugar, or both, healing slows down.

If you have nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), your feet may feel numb. Or you may have no feeling at all. In either case, the injury may be painless. When that happens, blisters, cuts, and sores can go unnoticed. That’s when serious problems can begin.

Why are diabetic foot ulcers so harmful to me?

Diabetic foot ulcers can be downright dangerous. They are the leading cause of amputation and hospitalization when you have diabetes.

If infection spreads throughout your body, or severe ligament, muscle, and bone damage occurs, amputation may be necessary. In less severe cases, you may need surgery to remove tissue that has died.

In the best circumstances, it takes weeks to several months for a diabetic foot ulcer to heal.

Having diabetes puts you a much greater risk for a foot ulcer. Once you have had one, you are more likely to develop another.

What can I do to prevent them if I have diabetes?

Although preventing a diabetic foot ulcer is not always possible, you can take steps to reduce your risk.

Here are my 6 basic rules to help prevent diabetic foot ulcers:

  1. Keep your blood sugar at your target level throughout the day.
  2. Practice daily foot care. Wash, thoroughly dry, moisturize (except between toes), and carefully inspect your feet every day. Use a mirror or helper if needed.
  3. Eat a healthy diet as advised by your doctor and dietician.
  4. Keep your toenails trimmed, cutting straight across.
  5. Have a podiatrist remove corns and calluses.
  6. Always wear well-fitting shoes and clean, dry socks indoors and out.

Most important, talk to your doctor right away if you have any foot sore or foot problem that does not heal promptly. Report any breaks in your skin and any changes in the feeling, shape, or color of your feet.

Early treatment is key to preventing infections and serious complications. Contact the Amputation Prevention Center of America for more information.