Diabetic Foot & Ulcers

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Diabetes-related foot problems? We provide prevention visits, wound care, offloading, infection management, and limb preservation—so you can heal safely and stay active.

A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore on the foot that can develop from pressure and friction on numb skin (neuropathy) or from poor circulation. Without the right care, ulcers can become infected and threaten tissue health and mobility.

Common symptoms and warning signs

• A sore that doesn’t heal, often under the forefoot, heel, or toes
• Drainage on socks or a persistent callus that becomes tender
• Redness, swelling, or odor; shoes rubbing the same spot
• Numbness, tingling, or burning (neuropathy)

Why it happens (risk factors)

• Neuropathy (reduced sensation and sweat/oil production → fragile skin)
• Foot deformities (bunions, hammertoes, Charcot changes) that create pressure points
• Tight or ill-fitting footwear; prolonged standing on hard surfaces
• Reduced blood flow (peripheral artery disease)
• High glucose levels delaying healing; prior ulcer or amputation

Your visit includes a focused history and exam, footwear review, and risk assessment:

• Sensory testing (monofilament), pulses, skin and nail exam
• Weight-bearing X-rays when bone or alignment issues are suspected
• Vascular screening (ABI/toe pressures) when needed; referral to vascular specialists if blood flow is limited
• Lab tests and advanced imaging (e.g., MRI) when we’re concerned for bone infection

We build a plan around offloading, wound care, infection control, blood flow, and glucose.

Offloading (reduce pressure so tissue can heal)

• Felted foam pads, custom insoles, or removable boots
• Total contact casting (TCC) when appropriate for faster healing
• Long-term: custom orthotics or diabetic shoes to prevent recurrence

Local wound care

• Regular sharp debridement to remove dead tissue and stimulate healing
• Moisture-balanced dressings; practical home dressing plan
• Callus control and nail/skin care to reduce new pressure points

Infection & circulation

• Cultures and antibiotics when infection is present
• Coordination with primary care/endocrinology for glucose optimization
• Vascular referral if tests suggest poor blood flow

Education & prevention

• Shoe checks, daily at-home foot checks, skin care routines
• Offloading plan for work/chores; return-to-activity targets after healing

1. Evaluation: Exam, imaging if needed, and pressure/footwear assessment.
2. Plan: Same-day debridement (when indicated), dressing supplies, and an offloading solution you can leave with.
3. Follow-up: Close monitoring (often weekly) until healed, then transition to preventive care.

Most uncomplicated neuropathic ulcers improve with consistent offloading and debridement; timelines vary with depth, infection, and circulation.

• Spreading redness, warmth, pus, foul odor, or fever/chills
• Black or rapidly darkening tissue, sudden color change, or severe pain
• A new ulcer if you have diabetes, neuropathy, or poor circulation
  If in doubt, call us promptly—earlier care protects tissue and mobility.

• Board-certified care led by Hannah Lee, DPM, with a limb-preservation focus
• Practical offloading solutions (from pads to TCC) and thorough wound care
• On-site imaging, coordinated infection management, and vascular referrals when needed
• Preventive plans (diabetic shoe/insert guidance, callus care, foot checks) to reduce recurrence

Do I need a special boot or cast?
Often, yes. Effective offloading is the single most important step to heal and prevent recurrence.

How often will I be seen?
We usually follow ulcers weekly until stable, then extend visits as healing progresses.

Are diabetic shoes or custom inserts necessary after healing?
They’re key for prevention—spreading pressure away from high-risk areas reduces the chance of another ulcer.

Can I shower with a foot ulcer?
We’ll give clear dressing and bathing instructions; keeping the dressing regimen intact is critical for healing.

Schedule a visit to start a clear plan—offloading, wound care, and prevention that fits your life.