Diabetic Foot Ulcer

A diabetic foot ulcer is a common yet major complication of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Normally, the healing of a wound is a stepwise process of repairing the lost extracellular matrix. However, some disorders interrupt this normal process of healing. This leads to prolonged healing of the wound. Diabetes mellitus is one such disorder that interferes with the healing process by delaying the formation of healthy granulation (regeneration) tissue.

Further, we are explaining the diabetic foot ulcer symptoms.

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Diabetic foot ulcer may not always be painful. If the nerves involved are not damaged, then there the person would experience pain. Since it is a serious condition, it should be treated immediately. A diabetic foot ulcer symptom looks like a red crater with a border of thickened skin. In severe cases, this red crater goes very deep, involving the underlying tendons, and bone. There may be swelling, heat, and pain due to inflammation. In late stages, discharges, foul odor, and discolored granulation tissue are seen.

Next section of this article you will know about the diabetic foot ulcer causes.

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A diabetic foot ulcer is most commonly seen in patients who use insulin. Being overweight, tobacco use and alcohol intake are risk factors that worsen the diabetic ulcer. Sometimes, you may not notice the ulcer due to loss of sensation in that area. Poor blood circulation further aggravates the condition by interfering with the repair.

It begins as a small ulcer, which usually goes unnoticed due to lack of sensation, and develops to form a deep diabetic ulcer. If left untreated for a long, infection of the ulcer may set in and result in pus (abscess) formation. This abscess can lead to an infection of the bone called osteomyelitis. Further delay in treatment can cause gangrene of the affected area, which means the foot might have to be amputated.

Now, we are explaining the diabetic foot ulcer treatment and diagnosis.

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Generally, doctors diagnose diabetic foot ulcer by examining the wound. Your doctor will check your blood sugar levels and your walking pattern to check for pressure points on your foot, and reflexes, and also test the sensation in the feet.

Your doctor may advise the following tests -

• Blood test
• Wound culture
• MRI and CT scan
• X-ray

Let's check the diabetic foot ulcer treatment.

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Strict control of blood sugar levels is the first step in promoting the healing of the foot ulcer. The main aim in the treatment of foot ulcer is to promote healing as early as possible so that the chances of wound infection are reduced. Using various methods, the pressure over this ulcer is relieved and the dead tissues are removed. The wound should be kept covered to prevent infection of the ulcer.

Other methods of treating diabetic foot ulcer are -

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Negative pressure wound therapy
• Revascularisation of the debrided area
• Ozone therapy
• Loading off of pressure
• Medications like antibiotics to control infection.

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