Diabetic Foot Care in Walnut Creek and Brentwood, CA

Diabetic patients are at a heightened risk for neuropathy and poor circulation, which can have a significant impact on foot health. Neuropathy may result in a loss of sensation, making it difficult for patients to notice injuries or changes in temperature. Consequently, minor injuries like blisters or cuts can go unnoticed and escalate into serious infections. Poor circulation impedes healing and increases the likelihood of complications.

Key Components of Diabetic Foot Care at Bay Area Foot and Ankle Associates

1. Routine Foot Checks: Our team encourages daily self-inspections and offers guidance on identifying early signs of foot issues, such as cuts, redness, swelling, or blisters.
2. Proper Footwear: We provide personalized recommendations for well-fitting, supportive footwear to reduce injury risks. Our experts advise against walking barefoot, even indoors.
3. Skin and Nail Care: We educate patients on maintaining clean, dry feet using lukewarm water and mild soap, with special care taken to dry between the toes. Our specialists offer tips on moisturizing to prevent dryness and cracking while avoiding lotion between toes to prevent fungal infections. We provide guidance on trimming toenails straight across and filing edges to prevent ingrown toenails.
4. Blood Glucose Management: Our practice emphasizes the importance of stable blood glucose levels to prevent further nerve damage and circulation problems.

At Bay Area Foot and Ankle Associates, we understand the critical importance of managing diabetic foot health to prevent severe complications. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing comprehensive care and education for individuals with diabetes, helping them recognize and address early signs of foot problems.

Personalized Foot Health Monitoring: We offer regular check-ups to monitor changes in skin color, temperature, and swelling in your feet and ankles. Our goal is to identify early signs of potential issues and intervene promptly to prevent complications.

Nerve Condition Assessment: Our practice utilizes diagnostic tools to assess nerve health, helping detect numbness, tingling, or pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. Early detection allows us to provide targeted treatments to manage these symptoms effectively.

Comprehensive Skin and Nail Care: We provide expert advice and treatments for managing dry, cracked skin and nail changes. Our team can help you maintain healthy skin and nails, reducing the risk of infections or ulcerations.

Custom Orthotics and Footwear Recommendations: To address foot deformities such as hammertoes or bunions, we offer custom orthotics and footwear solutions designed to support your feet and alleviate pressure points, thereby minimizing the risk of ulcers.

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, diabetes can lead to numerous foot complications, arising from nerve damage, reduced blood flow, and an increased risk of infections.

Nerve Damage (Peripheral Neuropathy): Prolonged high blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage, especially in the extremities like the feet. Known as peripheral neuropathy, this condition leads to a loss of sensation, making it difficult to feel pain, heat, or cold. At Bay Area Foot and Ankle Associates, we offer comprehensive screenings to detect neuropathy early and provide personalized care plans to manage symptoms effectively.

Reduced Blood Flow (Peripheral Artery Disease): Diabetes can cause peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which narrows and hardens the arteries, reducing blood flow to the feet. This impaired circulation hampers healing and increases the risk of damage and infection.

Dry Skin and Calluses: High blood sugar levels can lead to dehydrated skin, resulting in dryness and callus formation due to pressure or friction. These thickened skin areas increase the risk of ulcer development if not managed properly. Our podiatrists provide expert advice on skincare routines and can recommend appropriate moisturizers and treatments to maintain healthy skin.

Foot Deformities: Diabetes can weaken bones and ligaments over time, leading to structural changes such as hammertoe, bunions, or flat feet. These deformities disturb normal weight distribution, creating pressure points susceptible to ulceration. We offer custom orthotics and corrective procedures to alleviate discomfort and prevent complications.

Infections: The combination of nerve damage and reduced circulation impairs the body’s ability to fight infections. Even minor foot injuries can escalate into serious infections, as the compromised immune system struggles to combat them. Our team emphasizes the importance of early intervention and provides targeted treatments to address infections promptly.

Ulcers and Amputations: Unnoticed injuries or infections can lead to ulcers—open sores that fail to heal properly. In severe cases, infected or non-healing ulcers may necessitate amputation to prevent the spread of infection. At Bay Area Foot and Ankle Associates, we are dedicated to preventing such outcomes through vigilant monitoring and comprehensive wound care programs.

Diabetic foot care is crucial in managing diabetes due to the increased risk of nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation.

Annual Comprehensive Foot Exam: We recommend that most individuals with diabetes schedule a thorough foot examination with our specialists at least once a year. This exam includes an assessment of nerve function and blood flow.

Quarterly Foot Exams: For patients with additional risk factors, such as severe neuropathy, foot deformities, or a history of foot ulcers, we suggest quarterly visits to our practice. These visits will involve comprehensive assessments, including circulation, sensation, and gait analysis, to ensure proactive management of foot health.

• More Frequent Monitoring: If you have a history of foot ulcers, severe neuropathy, or other conditions affecting circulation or healing, our team may recommend more frequent visits, potentially every two to three months, to address and prevent complications promptly.

For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you. We serve patients from Walnut Creek CA, Brentwood CA, Concord CA, Pleasant Hill CA, Pittsburg CA, Antioch CA, Alamo CA, Danville CA, Oakley CA, and surrounding areas.