When diabetes is not well controlled, damage to the organs and impairment of the immune system is likely. Diabetes and feet are correlated with each other as foot problems commonly develop in people with diabetes and can quickly become serious. Hence the diabetic foot care is very important. With damage to the nervous system, a person with diabetes may not be able to feel his or her feet properly. Normal sweat secretion and oil production that lubricates the skin of the foot is impaired.

These factors together can lead to abnormal pressure on the skin, bones, and joints of the foot during walking and can lead to breakdown of the skin of the foot. Wounds/Sores may develop. Damage to blood vessels and impairment of the immune system from diabetes makes it difficult to heal these wounds. Bacterial infections, infection of the skin, connective tissues, muscles, and bones can then occur. These infections can develop into gangrene. Because of the poor blood flow, antibiotics cannot get to the site of the infection easily. Often, the only treatment for this is amputation of the foot or leg.

Get Estimate

Causes of Diabetic Foot Problems

Several risk factors increase the chances of developing foot problems and infections in the legs and feet of diabetic persons.

• Footwear: Poorly fitting shoes are a common cause of diabetic foot problems. If the patient has red spots, sore spots, blisters, corns, calluses, or consistent pain associated with wearing shoes, new properly fitting footwear must be obtained as soon as possible. If the patient has common foot abnormalities such as flat feet, bunions, or hammertoes, prescription shoes or shoe inserts may be necessary.
• Nerve Damage: People with long standing or poorly controlled diabetes are at risk for having damage to the nerves in their feet.Poor circulation: Especially when poorly controlled, diabetes can lead to accelerated hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. When blood flow to injured tissues is poor, healing does not occur properly.
• Trauma to the Foot: Any trauma to the foot can increase the risk for a more serious problem to develop.
• Infections: Athlete’s foot, a fungal infection of the skin or toenails, can lead to more serious bacterial infections and should be treated promptly. Ingrown toenails should be handled right away by a foot specialist. Toenail fungus should also be treated as this is often the source of a diabetic foot.

Get Estimate