The Importance of Diabetic Foot Care: Understanding the Risks and Complications

Seven doctors of podiatry see patients daily at the Kansas City Foot & Ankle and the Heel Pain Center in Kansas City and Lee's Summit, MO, for diabetic footcare. Our group of esteemed podiatry doctors provides an attractive array of services, but we are here today to discuss the importance of excellent foot care when you have diabetes. 

Diabetic Foot Risks and Complications?

Our doctors at the Kansas City Foot & Ankle and the Heel Pain Center in Kansas City and Lee's Summit, MO, provide diabetic footcare and explain that diabetes causes impaired circulation with poor blood flow, lessening the signs of pain in your feet and allowing sores, cuts, or blisters to get worse.   

You must have your feet checked frequently by our doctors and have our doctors cut and trim your nails and protect your feet from wounds and infection. The following are the more common risks affecting your feet. 

Infection

An infection can be caused by pathogens that enter through ulcers and spread to the bone. If this goes on without being treated, amputation may become necessary. 

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is numbness, tingling, and loss of feeling. High blood sugar levels you experience with your diabetes interfere with your body's ability to signal pain to your brain by damaging the nerves in your lower limbs. 

Your inability to feel pain delays treatment for a wounded foot, giving the wounds time to worsen quickly. These signs tell you that you may have neuropathy, 

• Skin darkening in the affected area
• No sense of hot or cold
• Loss of hair
• Tingling
• Pain
• Numbness

Ulcers

Ulcers are a local skin inflammation. If open, these ulcers become easily infected, and because you have diabetes, your body can't fight off infection as readily. 

Charcot Joint Disease

This condition causes a breakdown in your foot's structure to the point of bone disintegration. However, since there is diminished feeling, you are not alarmed that you have so much pain.

Calluses

When areas of foot skin become thickened, a callus develops. Ulcers and wounds develop from the spots where skin is being irritated, leading to infection. Our doctors can safely remove callus buildup.

Impaired Circulation

As mentioned earlier, your diabetes is attributed to diminished circulation and blood flow, causing problems for the immune system when it has to fight off infections and slowing the distribution of nutrients necessary for healing. 

Call Today for Your Diabetic Foot Appointment!

Call any of our excellent podiatry doctors at 816-943-1111 to schedule your diabetic foot care appointment at the Kansas City Foot & Ankle and the Heel Pain Center in Kansas City and Lee's Summit, MO for a diabetic foot care appointment. Excellent foot care is for everyone, from children to seniors. However, when you have diabetes, excellent foot care becomes imperative! We can help!