Diabetic foot ulcers are common if the disease is not controlled with measures including diet, exercise, and insulin.
They manifest most frequently under the big toes and the balls of the feet and can spread to the underlying skeletal structure.
Good foot care can help avoid foot ulcers, which are common among diabetics. Treatment for Diabetic Foot Ulcer differs according to the underlying cause of the wound.
Infected ulcers on the feet can lead to amputation if they are ignored, so it’s important to talk to your diabetic foot ulcer doctor about any concerns you have about your feet.
Who tends to get foot ulcers?
An ulcer, most often on the foot’s sole, affects about 15% of diabetics. Complications will require hospitalization for a few of those individuals.
In addition, if you have any of the following disorders, you are more likely to develop foot and toe ulcers:
- Blood circulation issues.
- Heart disease.
- Obesity.
- An issue with the feet such as a bunion or a hammertoe.
- Kidney disease.
- Lifestyle behaviors like using tobacco and alcohol
What do foot ulcers look like?
Skin ulcers are open sores that can take any form. Some areas of your body tend to have more of a certain shape than others. Foot and toe ulcers, for instance, can take on many shapes, such as a crater or a wedge.
What are the signs that might indicate diabetic foot ulcer?
- Skin discolouration and swelling
- Bad-smelling discharge
- Sensitivity and stiffness in the injured area
- Epidermis that has become calloused or thickened
- Inflammation of the skin, which can progress to gangrene.
The best diagnosis for the condition:
X-ray:
This MRI procedure evaluates the foot’s skeletal alignment to determine the cause of the ulcer. Diabetic bone loss can be estimated with the aid of an X-ray.
MRI Scans:
The MRI scan produces a three-dimensional image of the body’s organs and tissues on a computer screen. The doctor offers this test to identify the level of damage caused by the ulcer and also indicate if there is any inflammation present in the foot. Visiting a diabetic foot hospital at the right time can help in avoiding major complications of the condition.
The grades of severity of the condition:
Grade 1:
No diabetic foot ulcers are seen in this category. However, there is a substantial possibility that one of the patients will be hurt.
Grade 2:
That’s the first sign of a diabetic foot ulcer. In this stage, a full-thickness skin ulcer has developed on the surface of the skin but has not spread to the deeper layers of skin or underlying tissues.
Grade 3:
When a diabetic foot ulcer progresses past the initial stage, it becomes infected and spreads beneath the skin’s surface, eventually reaching the underlying muscle, ligament, tendon, joint capsule, deep fascia, etc.
Grade 4:
The subcutaneous connective tissue layer has been reached by the ulcer at this stage. Possible coexisting conditions include inflammation, osteomyelitis, and abscess. Infections of the tendon, muscle, joint, or bone are other possible complications. Painful diabetes foot is another possible outcome.
Grade 5:
Early diabetic gangrene of the foot only affects the toes and forefoot, and it is characterized by the gradual decomposition of the tissues around the ulcer. The affected area of the foot develops gangrene, or tissue death. It is important you notice the signs at grade 1 as this can help in immediate treatment. Seeking help from a Top General Surgery Specialist in Coimbatore to know your treatment options depending on your condition.
What is the benefit of managing diabetic foot ulcers?
Diabetic foot ulcers can lead to different health conditions if not treated at the right time. Take a look at a few complications that might follow which make you realize the value of the treatment.
Skin infections:
Ulcers caused by diabetes on the foot are prone to skin infections, which can cause swelling around the wound site, discharge that has an offensive odour, fever, and chills. If the infection progresses from the wound to the bone, there is an increased chance that the limb will need to be amputated.
Abscess formation:
An infected diabetic foot ulcer may lead to the formation of an abscess, which is a painful deposit of pus under the surface of the skin.
Sepsis:
If the infection is severe enough, it could spread throughout the body, which would result in sepsis. When the immune system of the body overreacts to an infection and begins to damage tissues and organs, a condition called systemic autoimmune disease may develop. A fatal outcome is possible with this condition. Behaving confusedly, having blue or blotchy skin, and having difficulty breathing are some of the symptoms.
Foot deformities:
Diabetic foot infections and uncontrolled diabetes over a long period of time can cause the muscles and bones of the feet to become weakened, which can lead to deformities. They have even been linked to the development of Charcot foot, a severe condition that affects the joints, bones, and soft tissues of the ankle or foot.
The bones become weak, and even the act of walking might cause them to dislocate or break. If treatment is delayed until later stages, the foot joints may become unstable and collapse. Charcot foot affects around one percent of those who have neuropathy due to diabetes.
Gangrene:
Tissue death from bacterial infection or ischemia is what causes gangrene. Skin discoloration, unusual discharge or pus, and numbness at the site are all telltale signs. If a diabetic foot ulcer is not treated promptly, the surrounding skin tissues can die from a lack of blood and oxygen. One of the earliest symptoms of gangrene is the development of a black tissue termed ischemia.
Outlook of the condition:
Foot ulcers are curable if diagnosed in their early stages. If you get a sore on your foot, you should see a doctor soon because infection is a real risk if you wait. diabetic foot ulcer surgery is sometimes necessary in the case of untreated infections.
Avoid walking around while your ulcers heal and take your medication as prescribed. Healing time for diabetic foot ulcers is often several weeks.