Diabetic Foot Ulcers

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, “About 15% of all diabetics will develop an ulcer in their lifetime, and of that about 6% of those will get hospitalized, up to 25% of those will lead to an amputation.” An ulcer is any opening in a person’s skin. Podiatrist Dr. Lori DeBalsi said foot ulcers are common in diabetic patients because they are at an increased risk for neuropathy, which is a lack of sensation, and Peripheral Arterial Disease. “So they’re not getting the blood supply, the growth factors that are allowing it to heal.”

Dr. DeBlasi recommends diabetics check their feet on a regular basis and visit with a podiatrist yearly. “Ideally try and catch the ulcers when they’re more superficial. As they get deeper, they can get deeper into the body, and affect other structures, tendons, muscle, and bone.”

Prevention can also come in the form of proper footwear. “They should never be wearing any type of shoe that is tapered or constricting because … a simple little toe rubbing on the shoe can form a blister, and that can escalate into an ulcer, and infection, and that leads to an amputation,” said Dr. DeBlasi.

Dr. DeBlasi said being proactive could prevent amputation. “They need to not ignore it, because that’s a very high thing in that population, that they become kind of complacent, and think it’s not that bad, I’m not feeling bad, it’s not hurting, but the pain is not there and that’s a big issue.” Speak with your doctor if you notice changes in your feet.



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