A diabetic foot ulcer is a significant diabetes complication. It occurs when the skin breaks down in an area where there is a lot of pressure. The wound has a high risk of becoming infected. A diabetic foot ulcer puts your foot and lower leg at danger of amputation due to poor circulation. This is why a diabetic foot ulcer is a medical emergency that requires quick attention.
Controlling the pressure that caused the wound to develop is a crucial part of healing your diabetic foot ulcer. It’s vital to keep that pressure under control once the ulcer has healed, or the ulcer will reopen. In most situations, the pressure beneath the foot may be reduced using a diabetic shoe and an appropriate tailored insole. Medicare and many private insurance plans support the use of a therapeutic shoe once a diabetic foot ulcer has healed.
A diabetic shoe may not be enough to control the pressure that causes the diabetic foot ulcer to recur in some circumstances. An ankle-foot orthotic (AFO) can provide more comprehensive pressure management and prevent the wound from reopening in instances, such as a Charcot foot or a very flat foot.
If you develop a diabetic foot ulcer, you should get medical help right once. Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale of DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center can see you right away. We’ll do everything we can to keep the wound from reopening after it’s healed.
