Our El Paso Podiatrists Help Patients With Diabetes Care for and Protect Their Feet
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the entire body, and the feet are no exception. People with diabetes face an increased risk for foot problems, such as dry skin, infections, slow-healing wounds, and even amputation. Don’t let diabetes take a toll on your feet—turn to The Foot Institute to give them the exceptional treatment they deserve.
Our board-certified El Paso podiatrists offer comprehensive diabetic foot care. With multiple locations, state-of-the-art technology and equipment, and wide-ranging treatment options, including advanced therapies, we make caring for diabetic feet as straightforward and simple as possible. Partner with us for help maintaining or improving your podiatric health and discover what adding an experienced podiatrist to your diabetes care team could do for your feet.
Unmanaged Diabetes Puts Your Lower Extremities at Risk
Diabetes is a group of diseases that affect the body’s ability to use insulin to convert glucose from the food you eat into energy your cells can use. Insulin, a hormone, is the common thread between the various forms of the disease. Patients with Type 1 diabetes either don’t produce insulin or don’t produce enough insulin, while Type 2 patients struggle to use the insulin they produce effectively. Without sufficient insulin or receptors to direct glucose into the appropriate cells, it can build up in your bloodstream, resulting in broad-ranging tissue damage that can lead to complications.
Elevated blood glucose, or blood sugar, can have negative consequences over time. If your blood sugar is frequently out of range or you’ve had diabetes for many years, you face a greater risk of complications and associated conditions like poor circulation and peripheral neuropathy. These issues can lead to reduced or lost sensation and impaired wound healing in the feet and ankles. Managing your blood sugars, diligent at-home foot care, and regular visits with your podiatrist can help you avoid or address these and other concerning diabetic foot problems.
Best Practices for Diabetic Foot Care
Whether your diabetes diagnosis is recent or happened decades ago, monitoring and maintaining your foot health is crucial. Fortunately, our knowledgeable El Paso foot and ankle experts are here to help.
Establish a Foot Care Routine
Good foot hygiene is a foundational component of a healthy foot care routine. We recommend washing your feet daily with mild soap and warm, but not hot, water. Afterward, dry them thoroughly with a clean towel and apply a quality moisturizer to the soles, heels, and tops of your feet. However, don't moisturize between your toes, as this can increase your chances of infection. It's also essential to avoid walking barefoot, which can make injuries more likely. Instead, opt for moisture-wicking socks and comfortable, supportive shoes—even when you’re in the house.
Inspect Your Feet Daily
Daily foot inspections are vital to diabetic foot care, enabling you to seek prompt treatment for injuries and abnormalities. While seated, check your feet for discoloration, swelling, scrapes, cuts, calluses, bruises, blisters, corns, cracks, or sores. Use a handheld mirror to inspect any areas you can’t readily see. Also, pay attention to how your feet feel, noting any pain, discomfort, burning, tingling, itching, or numbness. Make a special appointment with your podiatrist if you notice anything concerning.
See Your Podiatrist Regularly
Many foot-related diabetes complications are progressive conditions, meaning they can worsen over time without proper treatment. Visiting your podiatrist at least once every six months—and more frequently when experiencing injuries or other issues—can help you and your doctor catch and address potential problems before they become more severe. We also provide routine podiatric services, such as toenail trimming and dead skin, corn, and callus removal.
Schedule a Same-Day or Next-Day Appointment for Immediate Concerns
Did your daily foot inspection reveal wounds, heel fissures, swelling, signs of infection, or another pressing concern? Don’t wait until your next appointment to bring it to our attention. Contact us immediately to schedule a same-day or next-day visit with your diabetic foot care specialist at The Foot Institute.
Advanced Technology and Treatments Enable More Efficient and Effective Podiatry Care for Diabetic Patients
The Foot Institute utilizes the latest, most effective technology and treatments to provide diabetic patients with the highest standard of care.
When patients with diabetes seek help for foot problems like numbness and tingling, doctors often assume that neuropathy is the source of the symptoms and prescribe an appropriate treatment for that diagnosis. However, diabetes can also cause other conditions that produce the same or similar symptoms, like nerve entrapment, which can require a different approach.
Our adept podiatrists offer advanced in-office diagnostics, such as MRI and ultrasound imaging, and cutting-edge interventions like MLS Laser, Shockwave (EPAT/ESWT), and VST Electro-Stimulation therapies to help patients achieve the best possible results.