There are many important foot and ankle care services we provide at Foot & Ankle Center of Ohio. We help our patients overcome heel pain, recover from sports injuries, and perform successful surgical procedures (when necessary). Of course, some of the most important services we offer are related to diabetic foot care.
Diabetes affects the body in many different, serious ways, which means it is easy to overlook how the disease can place feet at risk for complications. This is a big mistake, though, because diabetes significantly raises the risk for limb amputations. In these cases, it only takes a small wound or issue to snowball into a major problem! 
Diabetic Wounds Explained
In the context of a diabetic condition, the word “wound” can actually refer to any of cuts, blisters, bruises, bumps, burns, and calluses. Essentially, anything out of the ordinary—including injuries, conditions, and other abnormalities—could potentially lead to serious medical complication and should be investigated here at our Wooster, OH office.
There are two general categories in which we can place diabetic wounds – those of internal and external origin. Internally-originating wounds include blisters, calluses, corns, and anything else produced by the body. External wounds, conversely, are those which happen outside the body and include cuts, scrapes, and things of that nature. Both internal and external wounds can potentially result in tissue breakdown (ulceration), which puts you at risk for serious infections.
Calluses may not seem like a major concern, but certain forces can cause the layers of callused skin to separate and fill with fluid. When the fluid becomes contaminated and infected, the result is a foot ulcer.
Diabetic Wound Prevention and Treatment
Put simply, the best treatment for diabetic wounds is to prevent them from developing in the first place, which is why we place such an emphasis on preventative measures. To prevent issues like wounds from happening or becoming dangerous foot ulcers, take the following steps:
- Inspect your feet every day. A daily foot check is the best way to catch issues at their earliest, most treatable stages. The best practice is to develop a routine by inspecting your feet at the same time every day. For many patients, at night (before going to bed) works quite well. Carefully inspect all foot surfaces, including the areas between your toes. If you discover anything out of the ordinary, see us as soon as possible.
- Always wear footwear. Walking barefoot could put you at risk for stepping on something and possible cutting or scraping your foot. If nerve damage leaves you unaware of this, the wound can break down in time and become an ulcer.
- Make sure your footwear fits. Protecting your feet from other threats doesn’t make much sense if your shoes do not fit well and cause friction that can lead to lesions. If you have questions about a proper fit, contact our office and we can help.
- Check your socks and shoes. Before putting on your footwear, check them first to see if there is anything inside that could potentially cause damage (like tiny rocks, for example).
In the event you do know that a wound has been sustained, you need to take the right measures to address the situation. This means starting with flushing out the wound with clean, running water. It might seem as though using soap, hydrogen peroxide, or an antibiotic ointment would make sense to help reduce risk of infection, but these products can cause irritation. Instead, protect the wound with a clean bandage and come see as soon as you possibly can.
If you live with diabetes and do not already have a diabetic foot care plan in place, contact our Wooster, OH office and request the earliest possible appointment that will work for you. This is a serious matter, but we can help you create a plan to stay safe and reduce your risk of serious medical issues. As part of your plan, you will need to set up regular appointments with our office so we can monitor your feet and ensure that problems are addressed at the earliest possible stage.
Call Foot & Ankle Center of Ohio at (330) 345-5500 for additional information or assistance with scheduling an appointment with one of our podiatrists. If you’d prefer, you can also use our online form to request your appointment right now!