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Diabetic Foot Care

Center for Podiatric Medicine

Podiatrists & Foot and Ankle Surgeons located in Chicago, Schaumburg, Elmhurst, Lombard, IL & Highland, IN

Since diabetes increases your risk of ulcerations, open sores, and nerve damage, building a lasting relationship with a podiatrist should be a top priority. At Chicagoland’s Center for Podiatric Medicine, you can meet with a board-certified podiatrist who specializes in diabetic foot care. Book your foot and ankle evaluation by clicking on the online scheduler or by calling one of the three convenient Illinois locations in the River North neighborhood of Chicago, Schaumburg, and Lombard. Call or book an appointment online today.

Diabetic Foot Care

What is diabetic foot care?

Blood flow down to your feet and toes is already limited, just because these are the furthest points from your heart. Diabetes affects blood circulation even more. But to make matters worse, the ups and downs in your blood sugar levels lead to tissue damage, especially death of nerve tissues.

All of these factors combined mean that when you get a foot wound, you just can’t heal very quickly. Plus, because nerve damage reduces sensation, when you do have a wound, you might have no clue that it’s there.

Diabetic foot care is a multifaceted approach to the special foot and ankle needs of diabetics. You build a relationship with a dedicated podiatrist who teaches you how to properly trim your toenails and care for your feet. They also have you schedule preventive care visits to evaluate your feet and counsel you on warning signs of wounds that require you to come in for more frequent exams.

When do I need to see a podiatrist if I have diabetes?

In general, the team of board-certified podiatrists at the Center for Podiatric Medicine want you to check in at least once a year for comprehensive diabetic foot care evaluations. If at any time you experience any of the following issues, schedule an appointment right away:

  • Blood or drainage in your socks
  • Visible foot wound with drainage and odor
  • Skin discoloration
  • Ingrown toenail
  • Numbness or tingling

These are just some of the concerning issues diabetics face that warrant additional visits outside of routine preventive exams. If you have any cuts, wounds, or abrasions, your dedicated podiatrist can get you treated right away.

How are diabetic wounds treated?

Because your ability to heal from wounds is delayed when you have diabetes, your dedicated podiatrist treats any wound you may have — whether it’s minor or severe — right in the office. Treating diabetic wounds and ulcerations can include:

  • Offloading weight with orthotic inserts or diabetic shoes
  • Skin debridement
  • Topical antibacterial ointments
  • Corn or callus removal
  • Oral antibiotic medications

Your podiatrist at the Center for Podiatric Medicine also shows you how to care for your wound at home, how to change your bandages, and how to identify warning signs of infection. Surgery may be indicated to remove infected tissues and necrotic bone.

Schedule your diabetic foot care appointment by booking online or calling the office nearest you.

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