A diabetic foot ulcer is a very serious complication of diabetes. This condition forms when the skin breaks down in an area of excessive pressure. The wound has a great potential to become infected. Because of reduced circulation, a diabetic foot ulcer puts your foot and entire lower limb at risk for amputation. This is why a diabetic foot ulcer is an emergency that must be treated immediately.
An important element to heal your diabetic foot ulcer is to control the pressure that caused the wound to form in the first place. Here in the office, we have many different ways to heal your ulcer, depending on its size and specific properties. The best way to heal a diabetic ulcer will be determined after a thorough in-office exam.
Remember, healing your ulcer will take time. But how long, exactly, will it take to heal a diabetic foot ulcer? Timing varies by patient. But, generally speaking, a small ulcer that you treat promptly should heal within six weeks. (Larger or more complex wounds will obviously take longer to resolve.) Then, once your wound heals, we have to take action to prevent a recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers.
How to Prevent the Recurrence of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
After we heal your wound, we will have to take several measures to prevent the recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers. Hygiene will be very important. You'll have to conduct daily foot checks, and wash your feet daily with soap and water. (This study proves that foot washing is just as effective as cleansing with medicated wipes when it comes to ulcer prevention.)
Next, it will be critical to manage pressure on your foot; otherwise, the ulcer will reopen. In most cases, we can control the pressure with a diabetic shoe. Then, for an added layer of protection, we can fit you for an appropriate custom insole, further reducing pressure beneath the foot. And, because this tool is so effective when you need to prevent a recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers, Medicare and many private insurance companies will cover the use of a therapeutic shoe after we've healed your wound. Plus, thanks to advances in design, you can now find attractive diabetic shoes that will protect your feet without compromising your sense of style.
How to Stop a Foot Ulcer from Forming Again After Healing: Advanced Steps
In some cases, a diabetic shoe alone won't provide enough support to adequately control the pressure that may cause your diabetic foot ulcer to return. In these cases, such as when you develop a Charcot foot deformity or when you have a very flat foot, we may recommend using an ankle-foot orthotic (AFO). This medical device can provide you with more comprehensive control of the pressures. Thus, it can provide greater protective powers when you need to keep the wound from reopening.
What is the Gold Standard of Treatment for Diabetic Foot Ulcers
According to the APMA, the gold standard for treating wounds is to manage your diabetes by lowering your blood sugar levels and restoring any compromised blood flow. We must remove any damaged tissue from the wound (debridement), treat any infections, and offload your ulcer (removing pressure) in order to allow for healing.
Once the wound has healed, we will continue controlling pressure in order to prevent a recurrence of diabetic ulcers. From diabetic shoes and customized insoles to AFOs and beyond, we will work with you every step of the way to ensure that ulcers don't become a chronic problem for your feet. But remember: if you have a diabetic foot ulcer, you can not wait any longer to seek attention. Call Houston podiatrist Dr. Andrew Schneider at 713-785-7881 or follow this link to request an immediate appointment. Once your wound is healed, we will take every necessary precaution to make sure the wound does not reopen.
