Diabetes can damage both the nerves and blood vessels in your feet, reduce sensation, and slow down healing. Even a small cut or blister can become a dangerous infection without proper care.
So, for people managing diabetes, foot care is more than just hygiene — good foot care can help prevent serious complications like amputation. Unfortunately, diabetic-related amputations are on the rise — they’re happening at a rate of one every three minutes and 30 seconds.
The good news? With the proper steps, you can dramatically reduce your risk of serious foot problems, including amputation.
Take a moment as the Momentum Foot & Ankle Clinic team shares seven top tips for preventing diabetes-related foot amputations.
This may seem like a simple task, but a daily foot inspection is the best way to catch potential issues before they cause bigger issues.
Even if your feet feel fine, make it a habit to inspect them daily. Look for:
Use a mirror or ask someone to help if you have trouble seeing the bottoms of your feet.
If you notice a wound, don’t wait to see if it heals on its own. People with diabetes often have slower healing times and a higher risk of infection. Call us right away if you’ve injured or cut your foot.
Managing your blood sugar levels supports your foot health in multiple ways. Diabetes-related foot amputations are often linked to two conditions: peripheral artery disease (PAD) and neuropathy.
PAD occurs when narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to your feet, while neuropathy damages the nerves and decreases your ability to feel pain or injuries.
Both conditions raise your risk of serious infections and amputation, and both worsen with poorly controlled blood sugar.
The takeaway: When you manage your blood sugar, you help control the two leading factors that increase your risk of diabetes-related foot complications.
Choose shoes that fit well and don’t rub or pinch. Avoid walking barefoot, even at home, to protect your feet from injury. Orthotic shoes or diabetic-friendly socks may also help prevent pressure sores or irritation.
Have your feet checked by Aamir Mahmood, DPM, or Joseph Wilson, DPM, FACFAS, at least once a year — or more often if you have a history of foot ulcers or neuropathy.
Routine exams can catch problems early and help prevent serious complications. For example, if we spot a slow-healing wound, we can tend to it with topical ointments, wound dressings, debridement, etc., before the infection spreads any further.
Foot hygiene is always important, but if you have diabetes, foot hygiene can be the difference between a small issue and a serious complication.
Our team is more than happy to review at-home diabetic foot care tips with you, but in general, you should:
Not only do these tips help reduce the risk of amputations, but they also help prevent other issues like fungal or yeast infections.
Smokers are more likely to experience diabetes-related amputation because smoking significantly increases their risk of PAD. The nicotine in cigarettes also makes your arteries smaller.
For people with diabetes, this restricted circulation makes it harder for wounds to heal. It increases the risk of infections, which can lead to gangrene and, ultimately, amputation if left untreated.
To avoid these complications, consider smoking cessation. If you don’t smoke, don’t start.
Here at Momentum Foot & Ankle Clinic, Dr. Mahmood and Dr. Wilson specialize in diabetic foot care. Our team helps you stay ahead of potential issues through:
If you have diabetes and need to schedule your diabetic foot exam, or if you already have diabetes-related foot symptoms, give us a call or book your next appointment online.
