Diabetic Foot Treatment

Diabetes is a disease that can cause problems in the feet after long periods of high blood sugar levels, known as diabetic foot, that diabetes may cause diseases in the periphery blood vessels and thus loss of blood supply to the feet or impaired peripheral nerves, which leads to damage the nerves thus the patient lacks sensation in his feet, which may expose them to injuries and wounds, and because the lack of sensation these wounds may worsen, causing ulcers due to the spread of bacteria and germs left untreated in some cases, which may eventually lead to gangrene and then amputation, diabetes patients are advised to take care and monitor their feet to avoid diabetic foot injury, and to visit a vascular or orthopedic specialist for appropriate counseling in case of suspected infection.

A diabetic may visit the surgeon to check if there are signs that required for medical intervention and indicate a diabetic foot, including:

• Swollen diabetic foot.
• Permanent sores in the foot.
• A change in the skin color of the foot.
• Diabetic foot infection.
• Ingrown toenails.
• Wrinkles and dryness of the skin in the foot.
• Persistent pain with numbness in the foot.
• Fungal infection in the foot or so-called athletic foot.
• Overheating in one foot.

(Will be added soon, God willing).

If your diabetic foot gets worse and uncontrolled, a vascular surgeon or orthopedics surgeon may use one of the following methods to treat diabetic foot, including:

• Remove dead tissue in the foot.
• An operation for diabetic foot in the case of loss of blood supply, including an arteries bypass to enhance blood flow to the affected area of the foot.
• Surgery for the diabetic foot involves the installation of stents inside the arteries to keep them open while the blood flows to the foot.
• Arterial bypass in the foot: a surgical procedure performed by a vascular surgeon by opening the blocked arteries in the foot using a balloon, and then inserting stents that can keep the arteries open to assist blood flow to the foot. Some patients can leave the hospital on the same day, sometimes staying a little longer depending on their condition.
• Amputation: The amputation of the foot is carried out under the influence of a general or regional anesthetic. The surgeon uses a special saw to cut the foot from a certain location, then removes the dead tissue and closes the blood vessels and nerves, as well as the re-formation of muscles in the area of the amputation to suit the future artificial foot or prosthesis, the surgeon may close the cutting site by stitching both sides of the skin together or perhaps keep the amputation site open to remove more dead tissues later.

After checking the patient's condition by monitoring blood pressure, breathing and blood sugar levels, he can leave the hospital after approximately 10 to 14 days. The patient begins a different life as soon as he leaves, that it must depend on his adherence to the surgeon's instructions to avoid any complications, for example when he feels pain, he can use painkillers only by prescription, as some medicines such as aspirin may increase the chance of bleeding.

Diabetic foot treatments vary from non-surgical care to surgical medical interventions, so diabetics are often advised to follow some tips to prevent diabetic foot complications, such as:

• Feet care by cutting nails regularly.
• Ensure early diagnosis.
• Take appropriate treatment under the supervision of a doctor to avoid reaching the amputation stage.
• Wear the right shoe, so that it is not tight on the foot and slightly above the ground.
• See ophthalmologists, orthopedics, etc. to detect any complications that may accompany diabetes over time and treat them early before they worsen.
• Care for wounds in the case of foot injury by covering them and keep them sterile and clean, and adhere to appropriate changes on the wound as directed by the doctor.

After amputation, the patient can resort to some kind of physiotherapy or rely on rehabilitation specialists to learn how to treat the wound or by installing an artificial foot or leg that helps the patient to depend on himself for his personal needs. After an amputation, a diabetes patient may rely on a temporary prosthesis during the first three months until the wound is fully healed, while a permanent prosthesis is often installed approximately 6-12 months after the procedure.

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Last update on 8 July 2024

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