Many diabetic foot ulcers are preventable with special diabetic foot care. At Basin Podiatry in Odessa, Texas, board-certified podiatrist Hillary Brunner, DPM, has extensive diabetic foot care training and experience. She can help you prevent and treat foot wounds with effective strategies so you can keep your feet healthy. To schedule your consultation, call the office or click on the online booking tool today.

What is diabetic foot care?

Diabetic foot care covers the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of foot problems for people with diabetes. At Basin Podiatry, Dr. Brunner has extensive training in diabetic foot management, making her the ideal provider to handle your needs as someone with diabetes.

Why is diabetes so harmful to the feet?

Diabetes can cause nerve damage and reduced circulation in all parts of the body, particularly the extremities. With foot numbness from nerve damage and a lack of oxygen-rich blood, your foot wounds are vulnerable to additional foot damage, slow healing, and infection.

Because of these problems, about 15% of people with diabetes develop foot ulcers (non-healing wounds). About 10% of people with diabetic foot ulcers lose a leg.

At Basin Podiatry, Dr. Brunner helps heal foot ulcers and prevents complications like gangrene (tissue death) and amputation. Special diabetic foot care recognizes these dangers and helps you take steps to avoid them.

When might I need diabetic foot care?

Dr. Brunner recommends diabetic foot exams at least twice a year at Basin Podiatry. Additionally, don’t hesitate to reach out to the office if you have new foot issues, such as:

  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Skin discoloration
  • Blisters
  • Open sores
  • Warts
  • Corns or calluses
  • Ingrown toenails

For a person with diabetes, any type of wound can become infected and grow into a dangerous issue. It’s important to inspect your feet daily, and keep Dr. Brunner up-to-date if you notice changes.

If you develop wounds, Dr. Brunner uses advanced healing strategies to minimize your infection risk. She’s experienced with every aspect of diabetic foot management, including wound healing and limb salvage.

Dr. Brunner also helps you protect your feet between your visits at Basin Podiatry.

What are some diabetic foot care tips I can follow at home?

Along with daily foot inspections at home, take these simple steps to stay healthy:

  • Trim your nails straight across
  • Wash your feet in lukewarm water every night
  • Apply moisturizer to you feet nightly (but not between your toes)
  • Avoid walking barefoot
  • Wear special diabetic socks with extra padding
  • Wear custom orthotics consistently (if prescribed)
  • Wear prescription diabetic shoes (if recommended)

All of these tips protect your feet, but don’t forget to manage the root of the problem: your blood sugar. See your doctor regularly to make sure your diabetes stays under control.

If you’re interested in learning more about diabetic foot care, call the Basin Podiatry office or click on the online booking tool today.