Unfortunately, foot and lower leg problems are often a common result of having diabetes. As time goes by, it’s likely that diabetes can cause nerve damage, also known as diabetic neuropathy. This can lead to tingling or a painful sensation, and it may also cause you to lose feeling in your feet and lower legs. The loss of feeling in your feet and lower legs can become incredibly dangerous and can lead to sores or infections.

There are many ways to maintain healthy foot care when dealing with diabetes. Most importantly, you want to ensure that you’re managing your blood glucose levels, otherwise known as your blood sugar. You also want to ensure that you’re checking your feet and lower legs daily. As mentioned before, it’s important to recognize if your feet and lower legs have cuts, sores, blisters, plantar warts, ingrown toenails, or other troubling conditions to stay ahead of the issue and prevent yourself from further harm. Along with foot/leg checks, you should also wash and dry your feet and lower legs daily using lukewarm water. It may also be useful in certain cases to moisturize your feet and lower legs a few times a week, especially if you’re prone to dryness. Please be advised, however, to avoid moisturizing between the toes as they will not dry properly. You should also refrain from digging into the sides of the toes; this will help prevent the development of an ingrown toenail. If you do happen to develop a corn or callus, never treat them yourself; seek the help of a professional. It may also be beneficial to look into socks made specifically for those with diabetes to help provide yourself with extra cushion. You may also want to refrain from walking barefoot, as well as avoid smoking, as it restricts the blood flow to your feet.

In certain serious cases, you may notice a cut, blister, or bruise is not healing after a few days. If this occurs, it’s important to seek the help of a professional. Other warning signs include redness, swelling, a callus with dried blood inside of it, or an infection that causes discoloration of the foot and an odor.

Diabetes, or elevated blood sugar, can have a significant impact to the lower extremity. Increased sugar molecules in the relatively narrow arteries of the lower leg and foot can result in oxygen depletion to the tissue resulting in difficulty to heal wounds, infections, and even limb loss. It is critical to have your blood flow monitored by your podiatric physician. Diabetes can also result in nerve damage to the feet or lower legs, which is a less serious complication, however painful. All of the aforementioned consequences of diabetes can be treated, managed, and often cured with proper care.

At Advantage Foot & Ankle Center, Dr. Bell has the experience, equipment, latest technology, and tools to treat the conditions related to diabetes.