A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs in patients with diabetes, and is commonly located on the bottom of the foot. The majority of the foot ulcers appear to result from minor trauma or in the presence of sensory neuropathy.
Those who develops foot ulcer, some percent will be having infection or other ulcer-related complications. Appropriate preventive technique can prevent most of limbs from amputation. Regular preventive care is offered here for complicated foot infections and ulcers with rapid healing techniques.
SOME OF THE SYPTOMS OF DIABETIC FOOT are,
- Pain in the legs.
- numbness or tingling
- skin discoloration and temperature changes
- blisters or other wounds without pain
- gangrene in a portion of forefoot or heel
- Swelling in the foot or ankle.
- Open sores on the feet that are slow to heal or are draining.
- Ingrown toenails or toenails infected with fungus.
- Dry cracks in the skin, especially around the heel.
- wounds with or without drainage
- painful tingling
- staining on socks
TREATMENT METHODS
a. NONSURGICAL TREATMENT
- keeping wounds clean and dressed regularly
- prescribing antibiotics to treat infections
- prescribing walking cast or total contact cast
- Closely observing the occurrence of gangrene and checking the blood flows to the toes.
- removing hardened part of skin/calluses
- Suggesting exercises and diet changes
b. SURGICAL TREATMENT
- Removing decaying or dead tissue
- Removing ingrown toenails
- surgically stabilizing the infected foot
- Arterial Bypass surgery to increase blood flow
- Endovascular angioplasty with placement of stents to open the closed parts of the vein enhancing blood flow
- Amputation of the infected limb [from a single toe to the leg above the knee]