Our Services / Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetic foot care is the best way to prevent and successfully treat diabetes complications like neuropathy, infections, and foot ulcers. At Columbus Foot & Ankle, P.C., the premier team of podiatric physicians, including Troy Espiritu, DPM, FACFAS, and Nicholas Smith, DPM, MS, FACFAS, offers skilled diabetic foot care in a state-of-the-art office in Columbus, Georgia. For the best in skilled care, call the office or click on the scheduling link now. 

What is diabetic foot care?

Diabetic foot care is specialized medical care customized for the needs of people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. All people with diabetes need regular diabetic foot care to diagnose problems, treat emerging issues, and prevent serious health complications. 

At Columbus Foot & Ankle, P.C., the experienced team of podiatric physicians offers comprehensive diabetic foot care that they tailor for you. 

What problems does diabetes cause in the feet?

People with diabetes have a much higher incidence of foot problems than the general population for two main reasons: nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) and poor blood circulation (peripheral arterial disease or PAD). 

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage in your extremities, particularly your feet. The condition causes numbness in the feet, making it common to develop a foot wound without knowing it. Wounds can start as blisters, corns, calluses, punctures, ingrown toenails, abrasions, or any other situation involving weakened or broken skin. 

PAD

PAD happens when the blood vessels in your legs and feet narrow due to fatty deposits. That leads to poor circulation in your feet. Without optimal circulation, your feet won't receive the oxygen and nutrients needed to heal wounds. 

Foot ulcers

When you have diabetes, it’s common to walk around on foot wounds for a long time before realizing they exist. An unknown foot wound is also an untreated wound that can turn into a stubborn nonhealing diabetic foot ulcer. 

Infections

Open wounds can quickly attract bacteria, which means an infection can set in quickly when you have a chronic wound. 

Ultimately, diabetic foot problems can lead to serious consequences if untreated. Gangrene (tissue death) may occur if a wound isn’t treated properly, and eventually, amputation could be the only option for a significant diabetic foot ulcer. Fortunately, diabetic foot care can help you prevent these problems before they reach that point. 

What does diabetic foot care include? 

Diabetic foot care encompasses many different aspects of foot health, including: 

• Diabetic foot check-ups
• Preventive foot care
• Wound care (treatment of diabetic foot ulcers)
• Treatment of bunions, corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, and other foot problems
• Education about home foot care
• Prescription diabetic shoes
• Prescription orthotics
• Diabetic limb salvage 

With diabetic foot care at Columbus Foot & Ankle, P.C. you’ll team with the podiatry specialists to manage your foot health successfully. Ultimately, that can help you reduce your risk of chronic wounds, treat new wounds before they become chronic, and help you take steps to protect your foot health long term. 

To ensure healthy feet and keep them that way, call Columbus Foot & Ankle, P.C. or book an appointment online now.