Podiatrists Protect Your Feet From Diabetic Damage!

Living with diabetes requires vigilance and proactive care, and that’s especially true when it comes to your feet. After all, diabetes disrupts blood flow and nerve function, which makes the lower extremities vulnerable to highly disruptive complications.

The silver lining: As foot and ankle specialists, podiatrists are well-equipped to improve outcomes and overall quality of life for anyone managing diabetes. At PodiatryCare, P.C. and the Heel Pain Center, we’re happy to help. Read on to find out how!

1. Neuropathy

This form of nerve damage, frequently classified as “peripheral neuropathy,” can become quite serious.

  • Symptoms: Numbness, tingling, burning pain, loss of balance.

  • Risks: Injuries, infections, and ulcerations due to unawareness, which can lead to an increased risk of amputation as well.

  • Podiatrist's Role: Early detection, management, custom orthotics, protective footwear.

2. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Narrowed arteries in the legs lead to problems everywhere else, your feet included.

  • Symptoms: Leg pain, fatigue, slow wound healing, hair loss on feet.

  • Risks: Gangrene, amputations due to poor blood flow.

  • Podiatrist's Role: PAD assessment, vascular testing, management strategies, and more serious or invasive interventions as needed.

3. Skin and Nail Issues

Don’t underestimate these; they can worsen faster than you’d think.

  • Symptoms: Dry, cracked, or thickened skin, fungal infections, and thickened nails.

  • Risks: Infections, pain, difficulty walking.

  • Podiatrist's Role: Debridement, infection treatment, nail management.

4. Foot Deformities

Patients who must manage diabetes are likely to suffer deformities over time.

  • Symptoms: Bunions, hammertoes, Charcot foot (a severe bone deformity).

  • Risks: Pain, pressure sores, difficulty fitting shoes.

  • Podiatrist's Role: Custom orthotics, bracing, or surgical intervention to improve alignment and function.

5. Wound Complications

Diabetic wounds such as ulcers are dangerous, requiring the immediate attention of a DPM.

  • Symptoms: Open sores, redness, drainage, pain.

  • Risks: Deep infections and amputations if left untreated.

  • Podiatrist's Role: Specialized wound care, debridement, offloading techniques, infection control measures.

Managing diabetes requires caution and attention, but that shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying your life. Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are committed to helping Hartford County patients with the best treatment options available. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.

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