Diabetic Foot Care
Whether you’re a long-term sufferer of diabetes or you’ve just been diagnosed, you are likely aware that diabetes can have a negative effect on your feet. Foot pain, numbness, infections, and even tissue death are all risks you face without proper care. If you have diabetes, it’s a good idea to look into receiving diabetic foot care as regularly as possible. At Advanced Foot and Ankle Centers of Illinois, we perform examinations and provide treatment options for our patients to ensure they maintain healthy and functional feet. Having diabetes does not mean you are doomed to have foot problems, and we can help make this a reality.
Feet and Diabetes
Diabetes can cause your arteries to narrow, or harden, reducing blood flow. It can also damage your peripheral nerves. Since your feet are so far away from your heart and brain, they are easily affected by peripheral artery disease and peripheral neuropathy.
Each disease poses its own set of issues. If your feet don’t receive the necessary blood circulation due to peripheral artery disease, you will likely experience foot pain, leg weakness, and extreme cold. You may even develop gangrene, a serious issue that can cause loss of limb.
Peripheral neuropathy prevents you from feeling any sensation in your feet. You may not feel when your feet get injured and you may not have a good sense of your foot placement while walking or standing. This can cause injuries to go undetected and worsen over time.
Other problems you may face include bunions, calluses, infections, sores, and ingrown toenails. These are often caused by your shoe rubbing against your foot, thanks to decreased oil production and lubrication.
Our Diabetic Foot Care
At our office in Chicago, IL, we’ll thoroughly examine your feet and test for signs of poor blood flow or damaged nerves. You may need better fitting shoes or even prescribed orthopedics. We’ll suggest some techniques you can use to encourage blood flow and treat bunions, corns, and ingrown toenails. With doctor-authorized care regimens, you can prevent most major foot problems. If you have diabetes and are worried about your feet, contact us today. We have several offices throughout Illinois, so call the one closest to you.