A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that most commonly occurs on the bottom of the foot in approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes. Ulcers form due to a combination of factors, such as lack of feeling in the foot, poor circulation, foot deformities, irritation (such as friction or pressure), and trauma, as well as duration of diabetes.
Patients who have diabetes for many years can develop neuropathy, a reduced or complete lack of feeling in the feet due to nerve damage caused by elevated blood glucose levels over time. The nerve damage often can occur without pain and one may not even be aware of the problem.
Vascular disease can complicate a foot ulcer, reducing the body's ability to heal and increasing the risk for an infection. Elevations in blood glucose can reduce the body's ability to fight off a potential infection and also retard healing. Once an ulcer is noticed, it should be treated immediately.
The primary goal in the treatment of foot ulcers is to obtain healing as soon as possible. The faster the healing, the less chance for an infection. If there is an infection, a treatment program of antibiotics, wound care, and possibly hospitalization may be necessary. Appropriate wound management includes the use of dressings and topically-applied medications. Other ways to treat diabetic wounds include controlling blood glucose and surgery. For patients that are affected by diabetic wounds, we combine the collaboration between vascular surgery and physical therapy to help prevent and treat this condition.