Diabetic foot is considered a common complication of chronic diabetes, resulting from the narrowing and blockage of the peripheral arteries that supply the limbs or due to dysfunction of the nervous system, leading to the loss of some essential functions responsible for maintaining the feet’s integrity.
Wounds develop negatively due to reduced blood circulation, leading to delayed wound healing. This may cause bacterial proliferation, making the patient prone to sepsis and tissue death due to blood deficiency.
Due to sensory nerve damage and disruption in pressure and vibration sensation, the diabetic patient is unaware of their foot steps. According to Newton’s third law, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”; hence, every unstable step generates pressure on the patient’s body, leading to micro-fractures around the joints. However, the patient does not feel this, so they continue walking in this manner, leading to the development of Charcot foot due to the protrusion of one of the bones from the bottom of the foot. Charcot foot is a foot deformity affecting both shape and function, which can progress to joint dislocation, sometimes necessitating amputation below the knee.
The treatment depends on the speed of diagnosis after the appearance of some initial symptoms, including:
– Pain sensation.
– Changes in skin color and skin temperature.
– Skin cracks.
– Hollow or fungal-infected nails.
– Slow-healing foot ulcers.
– Unusual swelling, irritation, and redness.
– Unusual odor in one or both feet.
– Black tissue surrounding the ulcer, which is the most prominent sign of diabetic foot, due to improper blood flow to the area surrounding the ulcer, leading to partial or complete diabetic foot gangrene, indicating tissue infection and death due to infection.
Treatment for diabetic foot varies depending on the degree and severity of the condition. There are several therapeutic options, and here are some treatment details:
Typically, the doctor first attempts to treat diabetic foot problems without surgery. Some non-surgical methods include:
Infection is one of the most serious complications of diabetic foot ulcers and requires immediate treatment. Not all injuries are treated in the same way or with the same antibiotics. Tissue surrounding the ulcer may be sent to the lab to determine the most appropriate antibiotic to control and eliminate the infection. If the doctor suspects a serious infection, X-rays may be needed to look for bone involvement.
In some patients, diabetic foot conditions may progress to advanced stages, requiring various interventions to treat ulcers and relieve pressure by removing deformities to prevent ulcers from worsening and the only treatment is amputation. The doctor may also consider and resort to surgery when gangrene occurs in the foot, including:
Some tips to reduce the chances of a diabetic patient developing foot ulcers include:
In the clinics of Dr. Hossam El Mahdy, a professor of vascular surgery and diabetic foot treatment at Kasr Al-Ainy School of Medicine and a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in England, you can receive the best methods for treating diabetic foot instead of exposing yourself to its unlimited risks. Treatment includes wound cleaning and removal of dead tissue from the feet, as well as reducing pressure on the feet and improving blood circulation through peripheral angioplasty and other methods aimed at improving the quality of life for diabetic foot patients.
