Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Diabetic foot ulcers are a common side effect of diabetes. Fortunately, it’s possible to reduce your risk. At Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP, located in Methuen, Massachusetts, board-certified podiatric surgeons and wound care specialists Nicholas A. Ciotola, DPM, Dennis Ryan, DPM, and the team specialize in diagnosing and treating diabetic foot ulcers. Call the office to request a consultation, or book your appointment online today.

What causes diabetic foot ulcers?

Diabetic foot ulcers are caused by diabetes, a group of diseases characterized by high blood sugar.

If you have diabetes and don’t keep your blood sugar in check, you’re more likely to experience poor circulation, nerve damage, and irritated or wounded feet.

When the nerves in your feet don’t work properly, you can cut or injure yourself and not realize it. These wounds may become infected, increasing your risk of significant medical issues.

What are the symptoms of diabetic foot ulcers?

Diabetic foot ulcer symptoms include:

• Skin discoloration
• Redness
• Pain
• Loss of hair in the area
• Darkened skin
• Swelling

If the ulcer is infected, it might ooze blood or pus.

Should I see a foot doctor about diabetic foot ulcers?

Make an appointment with the Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP team if you have diabetes and notice a cut, wound, or slow-healing ulcer on your feet, ankles, or toes. That’s especially true if the wound is red, warm, or sensitive to the touch.

How are diabetic foot ulcers diagnosed?

Your Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms and how well you’re managing your diabetes. They examine your feet, toes, and lower legs, checking for skin discoloration, hair loss, cuts, or open wounds. Then, they touch your feet and legs with various tools to see if you have numbness or tingling.

If you have an open wound, your podiatrist orders X-rays or an MRI to see how far the wound goes beneath your skin. They also collect a small tissue sample and send it to a nearby lab to test for infection.

Your doctor may recommend additional screens, like vascular testing, if they suspect your wounds are caused by poor circulation.

How are diabetic foot ulcers treated?

The Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP team offers a full spectrum of wound care treatments to people with diabetes. They might recommend:

• Prescription diabetic shoes
• Diabetic shoe modifications
• Custom orthotics or braces
• Total contact casting
• Debridement (removal of dead or diseased tissue)
• Topical wound treatments

If you have a large and infected diabetic ulcer, the team might recommend surgical management, like skin grafts or skin graft substitutes. 

Call Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP to explore the treatments for diabetic foot ulcers, or request your appointment online today.