Advanced Foot & Ankle Institute of Georgia

3535 Roswell Rd,Suite 54, Marietta, GA 30062

Advanced Foot & Ankle Institute Of Georgia

Diabetic foot problems

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Diabetic foot problems
Meet Dr. Fui Dawson

Especially if you have been diagnosed with diabetes it is important to work in concert with a

podiatrist to protect the health of your feet. Amputations of the feet and legs are far more

common among diabetics than any other segment of the population. That’s because there are a

number of diabetic foot problems that can worsen quickly and lead to irreparable damage. Our

Atlanta podiatrist can work with you to develop a care and treatment plan. We have experience

treating all conditions of the legs and feet. If you have any concerns about pain, sores or

numbness, don’t wait. Being proactive will improve your chances of recovery. These are

common problems to watch for.

Nerve damage or neuropathy – With nerve damage you may notice burning or tingling in your

foot. It is also possible that you may lose feeling in your foot. This is particularly problematic

because you will not feel pain if the foot becomes injured. For diabetics, minor injuries can lead

to major problems without appropriate intervention. Nerve damage can also cause the foot or

toes to become deformed.

Be proactive; examine your feet daily for bruises, wounds or skin discoloration. Call our Atlanta

podiatrist immediately if you experience loss of feeling, burning, tingling or injury. Regular

appointments are essential if you have nerve damage. Many complications can be avoided or

minimized with regular monitoring.

Peripheral vascular disease or poor circulation – One complication of diabetes is constriction

of the blood vessels. When blood flow is reduced it is more difficult to heal even minor wounds.

You may also find that your feet or toes feel cold. Avoid soaking feet in hot water as inadequate

oil production can lead to severely over dry and damaged skin. Reduced sensitivity to pain

makes use of heating pads or hot water dangerous as well. Instead, wear warm socks and keep

the heels and soles of your feet moisturized. Complete loss of circulation will lead to gangrene,

or dead tissue and amputation. Moderate exercise, such as walking, yoga or swimming can

improve circulation. Smoking, which worsens artery health, should be strictly avoided.

Foot ulcers – You should limit walking as much as possible when you have a foot ulcer.

Pressure on the wound often leads to or worsens infection. We can work with you on care and

management options such as protective shoes or braces.

Please give us a call even if the ulcer does not cause any discomfort. Wound cleaning, removal

of any dead or infected tissue and antibiotics can improve long term outcomes. It is vitally

important to attend to foot ulcers immediately because neglect is a common cause of amputation.

Schedule an appointment today

Our Atlanta podiatrist is your partner in good foot health. We will examine your feet carefully. If

you have an infection, we may take a culture to determine the type. Ulcers are visually examined

and graded according to size and severity. In some cases imaging may be required.

We will work with you to determine when surgical interventions are the best course of action for

managing peripheral artery disease or foot deformity. With neuropathy, foot deformity or

peripheral vascular disease, care and monitoring visits are recommended at least bi-monthly.

Proactive care is essential for managing diabetic foot problems.

Contact The Advanced Foot and Ankle Institute of Georgia to get in touch with a qualified podiatrist in Marietta.

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