Diabetic Foot Care Specialist
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Alexander J Pappas, DPM
Board Certified Podiatrist & Foot and Ankle Surgeon located in Hudson, FL, Brooksville, FL, & Lutz, FL
If you have diabetes, you may already know that you’re at risk of developing foot problems due to the effects elevated blood sugars have on the blood vessels and nerves in your feet. Board-certified podiatrist Alexander J. Pappas, DPM, with offices in Hudson, Brooksville, and Lutz, Florida, provides the expert diabetic foot care you need to prevent complications. To schedule your diabetic foot care, call any office today or book an appointment online.
Diabetic Foot Care Q & A
Why do I need diabetic foot care?
Diabetes is a very common condition that affects about 10% of Americans. It’s a disease that impacts the way your body responds to insulin, a hormone that regulates the use of glucose in your blood.
Diabetes causes high levels of blood sugar that can lead to a number of concerning symptoms like blurry vision, frequent urination, and unexplained weight loss.
High levels of blood sugar also damage your nerves and blood vessels, especially the ones in your legs and feet. People with diabetes commonly suffer from slow-healing wounds and an increased incidence of infection.
The damage caused by diabetes can lead to a number of conditions that affect the health and function of your feet. Diabetic foot care is a simple and effective way to reduce your risk of diabetic foot conditions.
What are some conditions that require diabetic foot care?
Diabetics frequently develop problems with their feet. Some common diabetic foot conditions include:
Diabetic neuropathy
Many people with diabetes experience numbness or a tingling sensation in their legs and feet. This condition, known as diabetic neuropathy, is one of the leading complications of diabetes.
Diabetic neuropathy occurs when high levels of blood sugar restrict blood flow and damage the nerves in your feet. This reduces sensation, causing your feet to feel numb and heavy.
Diabetic neuropathy can leave you unable to feel pain from injuries, which can lead to diabetic ulcers, infection, and eventually, amputation.
Charcot foot
Charcot foot is a type of deformity that affects people with diabetic neuropathy. Charcot foot develops as a result of an undetected and untreated broken foot. If you suffer from diabetic neuropathy, you may experience a foot fracture without realizing it.
Continuing to walk on the fractured foot worsens the fracture and causes the soft tissue in the foot to collapse. Charcot foot is a serious deformity that often requires amputation for effective treatment.
For people with diabetes, even simple foot problems like a callus or ingrown toenail can turn into a limb-threatening condition. The goal of diabetic foot care is to preserve your foot health so you can avoid serious complications like Charcot foot and amputation.
What should I expect during my diabetic foot care appointment?
Dr. Pappas works with you to develop a diabetic foot care plan. In addition to preventive foot care, the practice also offers state-of-the-art treatment for diabetic neuropathy, diabetic wound care, and limb salvage.
Diabetic foot care helps minimize the effect diabetes has on your feet. To get started on your diabetic foot care plan, call Alexander J. Pappas, DPM, or book an appointment online today.
