Diabetic Foot Care

If you’re living with diabetes, it’s crucial to enroll in diabetic foot care. Regular podiatry checkups can alert you to underlying problems and improve your quality of life. At Mastracco Foot & Ankle in North Canton, Ohio, Dominick Mastracco, DPM, AACFAS, provides diabetic foot care to people of all ages. To schedule a diabetic foot care consultation, call the office or book an appointment online today. 

What is diabetic foot care?

Diabetic foot care is a podiatry subspecialty that diagnoses and treats diabetes-related foot problems. If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to develop open sores and infections. There’s no way to prevent these problems entirely, but you can significantly reduce your risk by visiting Mastracco Foot & Ankle for annual checkups. 

Who is a candidate for diabetic foot care?

If you have any type of diabetes, you can benefit from diabetic foot care. Some signs and symptoms that might indicate you need specialized foot care include:

• Nerve damage or poor circulation
• Skin discoloration
• Tingling or numbness in your legs or feet
• Loss of body hair on your feet or legs
• Changes to your toenails or the surrounding skin

You should also seek diabetic foot care if you have a wound on your leg or foot and it doesn’t improve with at-home treatments, like over-the-counter ointments or wound dressings.

After a physical exam and review of your medical records, Dr. Mastracco can make custom treatment recommendations.

How are diabetes-related foot problems diagnosed?

Dr. Mastracco reviews your health charts and asks about your lifestyle, including when you were first diagnosed with diabetes and how well you manage your blood sugar. 

Next, he examines your feet and toes, checking for open wounds, blisters, or cuts. He also tests your reflexes and ability to feel sensations. If you have tingling or numbness in your feet or toes, he orders electromyography (EMG), testing for nerve damage. Lastly, Dr. Mastracco orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays or an MRI, to look at your bones, joints, and surrounding tissues.

What does diabetic foot care involve?

Treatment of diabetes-related foot problems depends on your age, the type of diabetes you have, and the severity of your symptoms. Dr. Mastracco might recommend:

• Cleaning and draining diabetic ulcers or wounds
• Removing dead or infected tissue (wound debridement)
• Applying special bandages or ointments to promote healing
• Prescribing a device (like crutches) to take the weight off your foot
• Prescribing antibiotics to prevent infection

If you have a severe infection, surgery might be necessary. Dr. Mastracco has specialized training in foot and ankle surgery, as well as diabetic limb salvage. 

To learn how diabetic foot care can help you, call Mastracco Foot & Ankle or book an appointment online today.