If you’re diabetic or spend a lot of time on your feet, you should be scheduling routine foot exams to reduce your risk factors for chronic foot ulcers. At InStride Family Foot Care, with offices in Concord, Charlotte and Salisbury, North Carolina, the experienced podiatry team offers on-site wound care services for diabetic foot ulcers and other types of open wounds on your feet. To prevent long-term health complications, schedule a foot health evaluation now at InStride Family Foot Care by phone or by requesting an appointment online.
Foot Ulcer Q&A
What are foot ulcers?
Foot ulcers are open wounds or sores that develop on the feet that are slow to heal or become recurrent. One of the most common reasons you may develop a foot ulcer is poor circulation in the legs and feet due to a hardening and narrowing of your arteries, a condition known as arteriosclerosis, or because of faulty valves in your leg veins.
If you have diabetes, a disease where you have difficulty maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, you may also be at increased risk for developing foot ulcers. Ulcers are common in diabetes sufferers because of the poor blood circulation and nerve damage that high blood sugar levels cause. Damaged nerves can lead to loss of sensation in your feet and you may not notice injuries when they occur, leading to a worsening of the wound and, ultimately, tissue death.
You may also be prone to developing foot ulcers if you have other underlying medical conditions, including:
- Heart disease
- Kidney failure
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Inflammatory diseases
Foot ulcers may also be the result of your genetic history or if you work in a job or hobby where you stand for long periods of time, putting frequent pressure on your feet.
How are foot ulcers treated?
The podiatry team at InStride Family Foot Care offers in-office wound care services that focus on preventing wound complications. They are fully equipped with the latest treatments, including medicated ointment, antibiotic therapies, and bandages to protect the health of your feet.
The podiatry team customizes your treatment based on the location and severity of the ulcer, your existing health, and your overall health history.
Why is wound care important for foot ulcers?
Wound care is important for preventing infections in the foot. When an infection goes unnoticed, it can spread to other parts of your body. Untreated foot ulcers can also lead to the death of tissue in the area, which may eventually require amputation of your toes, foot, or leg.
In addition to offering comprehensive wound care, the staff at InStride Family Foot Care take a proactive approach to reducing your risk factors for ulcer complications. The team offers routine, in-office foot exams for diabetes sufferers that identify ulcers in the earliest stages. They can also teach you how to care for open wounds at home, such as changing bandages daily, and recommend strategies for keeping pressure off the ulcer to promote healing.
If you have diabetes or an existing foot ulcer that needs wound care, schedule a consultation at InStride Family Foot Care today online or by calling one of the offices.
