Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

Joint Replacement Institute
  • (239) 261-2663
  • Patient Portal
  • Online Bill Pay
  • Request an Appointment
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet Our Team
    • H. Kurtis Biggs, DO
    • Brian Wallace, DO
    • Paul Beebe, MD
    • J. Scott Herron, MD
    • Cody Togher, DPM
    • Physician Assistants
    • Physical Therapy Team
  • Conditions We Treat
    • Arthritis
    • Bursitis
    • Cartilage Tears
    • Elbow Pain
    • Foot & Ankle Injuries
    • Fractures & Dislocations
    • Hand & Wrist Injuries
    • Hip & Knee Injuries
    • Hip Pain
    • Knee Pain
    • Ligament Disruptions
    • Neck & Back Pain
    • Repetitive Stress Disorders
    • Shoulder Pain
    • Sports Injuries
    • Sprains
    • Tendonitis
    • Work-Related Injuries
  • Surgery Specialties
    • Arthroscopy
    • Foot & Ankle Surgery
    • Hand Surgery
    • Hip Surgery
    • Knee Surgery
    • Robotic Surgery
    • Shoulder Surgery
    • Total Joint Replacement
  • On-Site Services & Products
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Injection Clinic
    • Pain Management
    • Patient-Specific Implants
    • Physical Therapy
    • Products
    • PRP Therapy
    • Sports Medicine
  • New Patients & Resources
    • Blog
    • Patient Education
    • Physician Referral
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us

How Can a Foot Doctor Help Treat Diabetic Foot?

October 22, 2021

Doctor examining a patient with diabetic foot

Diabetes can decrease blood flow to your lower extremities, leaving them prone to infection, nerve damage, and diabetic foot. Because of nerve damage, some people with diabetes experience a decrease in their ability to feel pain in certain parts of the body due to nerve damage that leads to numbness. This makes them less likely to be aware when they have gotten cuts or other injuries, which could make them worse.

Fortunately, a foot doctor can help treat diabetic foot. Read on to find out more.

Recommend Foot Care Tips

A foot doctor can help you treat diabetic foot by recommending ways to take better care of your feet in general. Since diabetic foot comes with nerve damage, you have to be vigilant.

Depending on the damage, you may have little to almost total loss of sensation perception. Here are a few tips that a foot doctor may recommend as you care for your diabetic foot:

  • Check your feet and toenails daily for any changes. Pay close attention to wounds, redness, swelling, sores, blisters, cuts, corns, or calluses. Make sure to see a doctor immediately if any issue worsens or does not show signs of healing within a few days.
  • Wash your feet regularly in warm water, but don’t soak them.
  • Always dry your feet after washing. Don’t forget to wipe the areas between your toes.
  • Apply lotion to the top and bottom of your feet. However, don’t leave lotion between your toes, as that could lead to infection.
  • Trim your toenails straight across to prevent ingrown nails. Alternatively, use nail clippers designed specifically for toenails.
  • Don’t remove your corns and calluses yourself.
  • Don’t walk barefoot. Instead, wear socks or slippers at home.
  • Don’t smoke, as smoking can decrease blood circulation.

It’s also beneficial for you to facilitate blood flow to your feet. You can do that by putting your feet up when you’re sitting. Wiggling your toes several times a day can also help keep your blood flowing.

In addition, choose activities that don’t put your feet at risk of getting wounded or injured. You may want to consider going for low-impact exercises rather than high-intensity alternatives.

When it comes to your nails, it’s essential to keep them trimmed to avoid ingrown toenails and wounds. However, you may want to consider getting the help of an expert if you can’t reach your nails on your own. You should also seek assistance if you have blurred vision or shaky hands to avoid accidents.

Facilitate Wound Care and Treatment

Proper wound care is necessary if you have sustained foot ulcers. Your foot doctor can clean your wound to ensure an infection doesn’t develop. If there is an infection, your doctor can also prescribe oral or intravenous fluid antibiotics to control and eliminate the infection.

In addition, your foot doctor can apply a dressing or a special kind of bandage to your wound to keep it clean and dry. They may also use some ointment to protect the wound and promote healing.

Another aspect of caring for diabetic foot involves taking weight off your affected foot. One of the best ways to do this is using crutches or a wheelchair to remove pressure from your feet. In some cases, your doctor may recommend using a splint, cast, or brace.

Suggest Proper Footwear

Your doctor will recommend that you use proper footwear. That involves wearing socks that aren’t too tight and keeping your feet dry when wearing them. Socks can help you avoid getting blisters.

You should also use well-fitting shoes that provide adequate support for your feet. If you have flat feet or high feet arch, you may want to consider getting customized insoles. You may also use a pair of therapeutic shoes made specifically for people with diabetes. These can give you the support and protection needed for your condition.

Propose Medical Procedures

Depending on your condition, your foot doctor may suggest surgical or non-surgical procedures. That includes draining fluid and pus from ulcers if you have them. Another procedure they may recommend is debridement, the process of cutting or removing dead and infected tissue from your foot.

Your foot doctor will exhaust conservative treatments first before suggesting surgical procedures. Surgery is typically reserved only for foot deformities that can’t be treated with a cast or brace.

In extreme cases, your doctor may recommend amputation for the affected toe or part of the foot. They may suggest the procedure to protect the remaining limb and prevent further health complications.

Foot Doctor in Naples, FL

Patients with a diabetic foot need to stay on top of their condition to prevent it from worsening. Diabetes symptoms can make that a challenge. Fortunately, healthcare providers can help through home care plans, medical treatments, and surgery.

If you’re looking for a foot doctor in Naples, Florida, look no further than the Joint Replacement Institute. Our team of board-certified and fellowship-trained providers can give you a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan suited for your condition.

If you want to learn more about our podiatry services, you may call us at (239) 261-2663. If you need a consultation, you can schedule one by using our secure online appointment request form. We look forward to helping you take care of your feet!

Filed Under: Foot Doctor Tagged With: best diabetic foot treatment near me, best foot doctor near me, best podiatrist near me, diabetic foot treatment, Diabetic Foot Treatment Naples FL, diabetic foot treatment near me, foot doctor Naples FL, foot doctor near me, Joint Replacement Institute, Podiatrist Naples FL, Podiatrist near me

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • How Long is Stem Cell Treatment Effective?
  • How to Find the Best Hip Replacement Surgeon
  • The Ideal Partial Knee Replacement Candidate
  • Preparation Tips for Hip Replacement Surgery
  • 4 Benefits of Getting Your Feet Checked by a Foot Doctor
October 2021
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Sep   Nov »

Categories

  • Arthroscopic Surgery
  • Bunions
  • Diabetic Foot Care
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Foot & Ankle Pain
  • Foot Care
  • Foot Doctor
  • General
  • Joint Replacement Surgery
  • Knee
  • MRI
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Orthopedics
  • Pain Management
  • Partial Knee Replacement
  • Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Podiatry
  • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
  • PRP Therapy
  • Robotic Surgery
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Shoulder Replacement
  • Sports Injuries
  • Sports Medicine
  • Sprains & Strains
  • Stem Cell Therapy
  • Ultrasound

TAGS

Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Naples FL Arthroscopic Surgery Arthroscopic Surgery Naples FL Arthroscopic Surgery near me best podiatrist near me bunion treatment in Naples FL Chronic Pain Foot and Ankle Doctor Foot and Ankle Doctor Naples FL Foot and Ankle Doctor near me Foot Doctor in Naples foot doctor near me foot pain treatment Naples FL foot pain treatment near me Foot Problems heel pain hip replacement near me Hip Replacement Surgery Naples FL joint pain Joint Replacement Joint Replacement Institute Joint Replacement Surgeon Naples FL joint surgery knee replacement orthopedic doctor in Naples FL orthopedic doctor Naples FL orthopedic doctor near me orthopedics orthopedic specialist near me Orthopedic Surgeon near me Orthopedic Surgeons Naples FL Orthopedic Surgeons near me Orthopedic Surgery near me pain management Podiatrist In Naples FL Podiatrist Naples FL Podiatrist near me podiatry care Naples FL podiatry care near me Podiatry Office near me Reverse Shoulder Replacement Shoulder Replacement Surgery Sports Injuries Sports Medicine Physician near me Stem Cell Therapy near me

Footer

Patient Testimonials

We often hear from our patients about how the doctors and staff at the Joint Replacement Institute have helped them.

See More

The Joint
Replacement
Institute BLOG

Keep up with the latest developments in orthopedic care, as well as news about our practice and events we sponsor.

Learn More

Patient
Education
Library

Our patient education library features more than 200 award-winning articles with images, videos, and tons of helpful information.

Learn More

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet Our Team
  • Conditions We Treat
  • Surgery Specialties
  • On-Site Services & Products
  • New Patients & Resources
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • HIPAA Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

The Joint Replacement Institute

(239) 261-2663 (BONE) Fax: (239) 262-5633 (KNEE)

Copyright © The Joint Replacement Institute. All Rights Reserved.

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

The Joint Replacement Institute in Naples, FL, offers Arthroscopy, Foot & Ankle Surgery, Hip Surgery, Knee Surgery, Robotic Surgery, Shoulder Surgery, and, Total Joint Replacement for a number of orthopedic conditions. In addition, we provide multiple on-site services and products.