Wound Care

What are diabetic wounds?

Diabetes can cause vascular and nerve damage in your extremities. The nerve damage reduces the feeling and sensation in your feet, and poor circulation reduces the nutrient-rich blood needed to heal injuries. As a result, you’re less likely to notice a minor injury, and that injury is unlikely to heal and may become worse over time.

Diabetic wounds, sometimes referred to as ulcers, are a leading cause of severe infections including gangrene, which can lead to necrosis and amputation. However, with expert diabetic foot and wound care from the podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey, you can protect your feet and your overall health.

What should I expect during wound care?

The podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey provide comprehensive wound care services. They examine your feet for wounds and may perform tests to gauge your neuropathy and sensation loss.

If you have a sore or injury, they clean the wound and apply a sterile dressing to keep it clean and dry. The podiatrists also offer debridement treatments to remove any dead tissue and reduce your risk of infection. Depending on the condition of your feet, you may need to have frequent appointments for your podiatrist to examine your feet and clean any wounds.

What are the benefits of wound care?

When the podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey take care of your feet and provide wound care treatments, you significantly reduce your risk of infection and amputation. Their wound care services keep your ulcers clean and dry, which helps prevent infection. They also provide dressings, orthotics, and other devices to help you keep pressure off your wounds.

How can I protect my feet?

If you have diabetes, one of the best things you can do to protect your feet is to manage your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of neuropathy and vascular health problems. You should also take care to keep your feet clean and dry. Wear shoes that fit correctly and don’t rub, which can cause blisters that could turn into ulcers.

Contact Family Foot and Ankle Center by calling the practice or making an appointment online today for expert diabetic wound care services.