Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment

In people with diabetes, uncontrolled sugars for a longer period can cause damage to different parts of the body including the feet. 
Damage to nerves and decreased blood flow are two main causes of diabetic foot problems, they develop a non-healing wound in the lower part of their feet.

A vascular surgeon is trained to treat diabetic foot problems by assessing the severity of neuropathy and decreased blood flow by Doppler and other tests, taking timely interventions, and saving the feet by assessing.

• Individuals at highest risk
• Warning signs of the patient

15% of Diabetes would develop foot ulcer in their lifetime

• Uncontrolled Diabetes
• Neglected foot care
• Associated Neuropathy
• Associated Peripheral Arterial Disease/smoking
   

Consult your doctor immediately if you see any of the following
alarming signs on your feet:

• Wound/Ulcer development 
• Abnormal swelling
• Redness/localized pain
• Blister development
• Cuts/injury/broken skin on toes/heel
• Callus/corn development
• Nail or toes colour changes (blue/black)
• Burning pains in legs/feet, worsening at night.
• Sharp leg cramps after walking some distance
• Feet feeling cold
• Tingling, pins and needles sensation, insensibility in the feet (neurologic symptoms)
• Slippage of footwear (chappals) from feet while walking (neurologic symptoms)

How can a vascular surgeon help?

• Wound cleaning procedure and antibiotics.
• The Complete non-weight bearing of the involved extremity special footwear.
• Dedicated diabetic foot wound dressing/vacuum assisted closure (VAC) dressing.
• Teaching foot care to patients.
• Revascularization or re-establishment of blood flow to the feet for non-healing wounds when required.

Why?: To save the foot, leg.
Goal: To increase foot blood circulation for wound healing

Treatment options:  
1. Balloon angioplasty
2. Vascular stenting
3. Bypass surgery