Diabetic Foot Assessment & Treatment (consultation fee)
People with diabetes have a high risk for many types of foot health problems. A diabetic foot exam can help find problems that can lead to serious infection and amputation(surgery to remove all or part of your foot) if they're not found and treated early.
Diabetic foot problems can happen over time if high blood glucose(blood sugar) damages the nerves and blood vessels in your feet. Nerve damage from diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy. It can make your feet feel numb or tingly. It can also cause you to lose feeling in your feet.
If you don't feel pain in your feet, you may not notice a callus, blister, or cut on your foot. Without treatment, these types of common foot wounds can become ulcers (open sores) that can get infected.
If you have diabetes, a foot sore or infection may not heal well, even with treatment. That's because diabetes can damage blood vessels and cause poor blood flow in your feet. If an infection doesn't get better, tissue in your foot may die. This is called gangrene.
If you have gangrene or an infection that won't heal, your toe, foot, or part of your leg may need to be amputated to prevent infection from spreading and to save your life. Fortunately, you can help keep your feet healthy by:
- Getting regular diabetic foot exams
- Caring for your feet at home
- Keeping your blood sugar within a range that's healthy for you