Diabetes Complications
People living with diabetes are prone to having foot problems, often because of two complications common among diabetics: nerve damage and poor circulation. Neuropathy (nerve damage) may cause loss of feeling in your feet, taking away your ability to feel pain and discomfort, so you may not detect an injury or irritation. Poor circulation in your feet reduces your ability to heal, making it hard for even a tiny cut to resist infection. If medical attention is delayed and the conditions worsens, amputation may be required.
Causes
- Infections and ulcers (sores) that do not heal. Sores in the skin may go all the way to the bone. Because of poor circulation and neuropathy in the feet, cuts or blisters can easily turn into ulcers that become infected and will not heal. This is a common complication of diabetes and can lead to a loss of your foot, your leg or your life.
- Corns and calluses. Corns and calluses must be properly treated or they can develop into ulcers.
- Dry, cracked skin. Poor circulation and neuropathy can make your skin dry. Dry skin can result in cracks that may become sores and can lead to infection.
- Nail disorders. Ingrown toenails and fungal infections can go unnoticed because of loss of feeling. If they are not properly treated, they can lead to infection.
- Hammertoes and bunions. Nerve damage affecting muscles can cause weakness and loss of tone in the feet, resulting in hammertoes and bunions. If left untreated, these deformities can cause ulcers.
- Charcot foot. This is a complex foot deformity. It develops as a result of loss of sensation and an undetected broken bone that leads to destruction of the soft tissue of the foot. Because of neuropathy, the pain of the fracture goes unnoticed and the patient continues to walk on the broken bone, making it worse. This disabling complication is so severe that surgery, and occasionally amputation, may become necessary.
- Poor blood flow. In diabetes, the blood vessels below the knee often become narrow and restrict blood flow. This prevents wounds from healing and may cause tissue death.
Diabetic Foot Problems
People with diabetes are at risk for developing foot problems that can be severe.
Body Complication
A body complication can be dangerous when it affects everyday nerve, motor and autonomic functions, including the immune system and blood flow.
Corns and Calluses
Corns and calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that develop to protect against friction and pressure. They mostly develop on your feet and hands.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where blood gets trapped on the inner walls of a vein and forms a solid clump of blood known as a blood clot.
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes. Damage to the nerves can affect sensory, motor and autonomic functions.
Symptoms
Potential Treatments
Wounds can become a serious issue. But, your doctor can perform many new surgical techniques to save your feet and legs, including joint reconstruction and utilizing wound healing technologies. Getting regular foot checkups and seeking immediate help when you notice something can keep small problems from worsening.
Charcot Foot Management and Treatment
If diagnosed early our management and treatment of Charcot foot can prevent more damage and avoid deformity and other complications.
CROW (Charcot Restraint Orthotic Walker)
The Charcot Restraint Orthotic Walker, or CROW, is a rigid boot designed to accommodate and support a foot with Charcot neuroarthropathy.
Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are specially crafted devices that are patterned based on your individual needs and designed to support and comfort your feet.
Regenerative Medicine Treatments
Regenerative medicine involves the delivery of growth factors to injured joints and tissues to promote the healing process.
