Diabetic Foot Care

Here at Alpine Foot Specialists, our goal is to prevent complications due to diabetes. Therefore, we advise our diabetic patients to make appointments for routine foot screening and care every ten weeks.

What Happens During A Visit?

During these visits, we examine patients’ feet and provide palliative foot care. Routine foot care includes nail, callus, and corn trimming, as well as any necessary ingrown toenail treatment. This helps to prevent skin breakdown and infections. We also evaluate the feet for deformities that can lead to calluses, skin breakdown, ulcerations (wounds), infection, and amputation. These foot deformities may be treated with accommodative orthotics to pad and take the pressure off of bony areas. Your podiatrist may also suggest surgical correction of foot deformities if they are causing ulcers and infections.

Tips And Tricks

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, we suggest that you examine your feet daily for cuts, bruises, wounds, and signs of infection. Signs of infection include:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Drainage
  • Odor
  • Pain.

Some things to consider adding to your daily routine include:

  • Listening to your doctor’s advice: Take care of yourself and your diabetes when it comes to nutrition, exercise, and medication. Keep your blood sugar level at a healthy range and visit us if you feel like something isn’t right.
  • Wash your feet every day: Make sure you use warm water and mild soap to wash your feet. Do not soak your feet and dry them well once they are clean, getting all areas in between your toes.
  • Check your feet daily: Look out for sores, blisters, redness, or any other problems.
  • Use lotion: If you have dry feet, make sure you keep them moist by applying lotion after you finish washing and drying your feet.
  • Wear the correct shoes: Always wear closed-toed shoes or slippers and avoid sandals. Do not walk around barefoot, whether you are in a public place or in the comfort of your own home.
  • Keep the correct blood flow: You need blood flowing to your feet at all times. When you’re sitting, put your feet up and wiggle your toes. Move your ankles multiple times a day and make sure when you sit, your legs are not always crossed.

If you experience any of these symptoms or you have recently suffered from an injury, please make an appointment right away. We will make sure you are seen by one of our physicians within 24 hours. If you are experiencing an emergency outside of normal business hours, please call the office, leave a message on the emergency voicemail, and a physician will call you right away. Our physicians are on call 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

Contact Us Today

Please read our tips for keeping your feet healthy under DIABETICS in the TIPS section of the website. Remember to use this guide to find the right diabetic shoes as well! Contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your feet. We are committed to providing you with the best treatment possible, making sure you leave our office informed and feeling better.

Call for an Appointment (847) 540-9949