Diabetes & Foot Problems

A big part of taking care of yourself if diagnosed with diabetes includes foot care. There are ways to make sure your feet are staying healthy while managing your disease.

Did you know there's a link between foot problems and people diagnosed with diabetes? Although it can be severe in some cases, there are things you can do to prevent the following feet issues.

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes. It can cause tingling and pain, and even lead to the loss of feeling in your feet. Being unable to feel your feet means you may not realize if you have a cut or sore which can cause an infection.

An infection can eventually turn into gangrene, which happens when there's not enough blood flow to your feet and legs, a common symptom of diabetes. Not having enough blood flow makes it difficult for sores and cuts to heal, which is where the gangrene comes from. If gangrene is ignored, it can lead to you having to get the affected limb amptutated.

Another rare but severe foot condition is Charcot's foot. This happens because nerve damage from diabetes can lead to changes in the shape of your feet. Charcot's foot may start with redness, warmth and swelling. Bones in your feet and toes can eventually shift or break, which causes feet to have an odd shape known as "rocker bottom."

If you have diabetes, there's no need to worry. Our podiatrist, Dr. Hirunnisha Najar, can work with you to create a diabetes management plan to help keep your feet healthy. A diabetes management plan can include anything from checking your feet daily to ensure you don't have any cuts or sores, to having your feet checked at every doctor visit. To make an appointment with our podiatrist, visit lasantehealth.org or call (718) 246-5700.