Living with diabetes means that you’re always monitoring various aspects of your health, such as your blood sugar levels. But because diabetes can lead to specific foot complications, you’ll also need to monitor your foot health δΈ€ and that means never ignoring diabetic foot pain.
If you have diabetes and experience any foot pain, our team of experts here at Momentum Foot & Ankle Clinic encourages you to visit us in Michigan City, Chesterton, Indiana, or Lombard, Illinois, to get the specialized diabetic foot care you need.
In the meantime, here are four reasons you should never ignore diabetic foot pain.
Diabetic foot pain often indicates potential issues like damaged nerves (peripheral neuropathy) or reduced blood circulation (peripheral artery disease). Addressing the pain early allows for a timely diagnosis, prompt intervention (both of these conditions require different treatments), and reduced risk of severe complications.
In other words, ignoring the pain means you have a smaller chance of detecting issues in their earlier stages. The longer you wait, the more likely you’ll experience complications.
Foot pain can develop for many reasons, including friction, plantar fasciitis, or bunions. Pain related to friction can be especially problematic for people with diabetes. Even the smallest blisters can develop into a slow-healing wound, so don’t brush off foot pain when you walk. If you have a pebble in your shoe or a sock seam is rubbing your foot, take a moment to stop and remove the pebble or smooth the sock before it leads to bigger problems.
Note: Diabetic neuropathy can dull sensation in your feet, which makes it easier to overlook injuries or wounds. While the earliest signs of ulcers, such as a lesion or blister, may be detected from a visual exam rather than physical pain, ignoring foot pain that does show up increases your risk of developing ulcers, which, coupled with compromised circulation, can lead to infections, tissue death, or even ulcers.
Inspect your feet daily to help spot any trouble areas.
Diabetic foot pain can impact your ability to walk comfortably, which makes it challenging to engage in regular activities or exercise. Reduced mobility from ignoring this pain may lead to decreased physical activity, creating a cascade of issues. Reducing your physical activity levels can negatively impact your overall health, make it harder to control your blood sugar, and even zap your quality of life. Proactive measures, including proper foot care, pain management, and regular check-ups with Dr. Mahmood, help to maintain your mobility and a fulfilling lifestyle.
Ulcers aren’t the only problem from ignored foot pain. Neglecting diabetic foot pain can result in long-term consequences, including deformities, chronic pain, and increased infection vulnerability. Charcot foot syndrome, for example, is a condition that develops when your bones weaken because of diabetic neuropathy, and as they weaken, your foot can appear misshapen.
The bottom line is that ignoring foot pain leads to delayed treatment, prolonged pain, and increased risk of complications. We know that foot pain can be concerning if you have diabetes, but know that there are many strategies to help address the root cause of your pain. Dr. Mahmood’s first step is to pinpoint the source of pain. Common causes of diabetic foot pain include neuropathy and circulation problems.
Depending on the source of your pain, he might suggest any of the following:
Help for diabetic foot pain is just a call or click away. You can reach our Michigan City, Chesterton, Indiana, or Lombard, Illinois, office by clicking here to book an appointment. You can also call the office of your choice to speak with our friendly staff.
