Diabetic Foot Care

Regular diabetic foot care is necessary if you have diabetes. Routine checkups reduce your risk of diabetic neuropathy, slow-healing wounds, and infection. At Frankford Podiatry Associates, PC, with three offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the board-certified podiatrists and foot and ankle surgeons offer diabetic foot care to children, teens, and adults. Call Frankford Podiatry Associates, PC, today to schedule an appointment or book your visit online.

My diabetes isn’t causing problems. Do I really need diabetic foot care?

Yes. Regular diabetic foot care is necessary if you have high blood sugar, even if you take steps to keep it in check. Routine screenings by a qualified podiatrist alert you to potential problems and ensure your feet, toes, and toenails stay healthy.

How often should I schedule diabetic foot care?

Schedule diabetic foot care at Frankford Podiatry Associates, PC, at least once a year. That’s particularly true if you have symptoms that include:

• Skin discoloration
• Foot or ankle swelling
• Pain
• Loss of body hair
• Reduced ability to sense temperature changes
• Numbness or tingling in your feet and toes

Seek treatment even if your symptoms are mild. Diabetes-related complications tend to develop slowly, so addressing them as soon as possible is necessary.

What happens during a diabetic foot care appointment?

Your Frankford Podiatry Associates, PC, provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms and how successfully you manage your blood sugar.

They examine your feet, toes, and lower legs, checking for skin discoloration, hair loss, and open wounds. They press on your toes and the bottoms of your feet with various tools, assessing your ability to feel sensations.

If you have an open wound (a diabetic ulcer), your provider takes a biopsy sample and sends it to a lab for testing. They also order X-rays or a diagnostic ultrasound to see how far the wound extends into your skin and to determine if it’s infected.

What does diabetic foot care involve?

The Frankford Podiatry Associates, PC, team tailors diabetic foot care to each person’s needs. They could suggest:

• Checking your feet and toes daily for changes
• Keeping your toenails trimmed and filed
• Maintaining circulation to your feet with good nutrition and exercise
• Smoothing corns and calluses
• Wearing shoes and socks to protect your feet
• Washing your feet daily
• Quitting smoking
• Reducing alcohol consumption

You might need professional wound care if you have a diabetic ulcer or another slow-healing wound. The team offers several wound care choices, including cleaning, removing dead and infected tissue (debridement), and prescribing antibiotics.

In some cases, wounds require taking your weight off the foot or ankle by using a wheelchair or crutches. This will speed up the body’s healing process.

Call Frankford Podiatry Associates, PC, today to schedule diabetic foot care for yourself or your child, or book your visit online.