Diabetic Foot Conditions

Having diabetes isn’t just about taking the necessary steps to control your blood sugar. You also need to pay attention to the rest of your body, including your feet. At Arizona Foot and Ankle Medical Center in Laveen, Arizona, Kyle Durfey, DPM, and Brian Hiapo, DPM, are dedicated to helping people with diabetes protect their feet.

To that end, they’ve written this guide on diabetic foot conditions. By arming yourself with what you should be aware of, you can help keep your feet healthy for years to come.

Diabetes-related diseases and your feet

Diabetes can cause two significant conditions in your feet, diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease.

Diabetic neuropathy

Over time, diabetes can damage your nerves, causing neuropathy. When this happens in your feet, it can lead to numbness. Because of this, you may step on something and be unaware of it. Or your shoes may rub against your feet, and you may not realize it. Over time, this could lead to serious foot issues, such as infections and slow-healing ulcers.

Peripheral vascular disease

Diabetes can also block the flow of blood to your feet. This can cause foot pain, infections, and slow-healing ulcers.

Because of the potential for developing either of these conditions, it’s important to be extra diligent in checking your feet. 

Other foot conditions

You may also get other conditions that are common in a lot of people, but that could be dangerous if not treated right away if you have diabetes. For example, minor cuts — which may not be a problem for most people — could become a problem in someone who is diabetic. 

Diabetes can hinder — or even prevent — the healing process, and this could lead to the development of gangrene.

In addition to foot wounds, you should keep an eye out for the following, because you’re more susceptible to them if you have diabetes:

• Athlete’s foot
• Bunions
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoes
• Ingrown toenails
• Nail fungus
• Plantar warts

The good news is that all of these conditions are treatable at our office. Dr. Hiapo and Dr. Durfey are wound care specialists. Whether the issue is new or you’ve had it for some time, they can thoroughly examine your issue and treat it. 

If you live with diabetes, the podiatry team at Arizona Foot and Ankle Medical Center can make sure your feet stay as healthy as possible. No matter what your foot issue is, they can give you the treatment you need. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Arizona Foot and Ankle Medical Center today.