Diabetic Foot Care Specialist

What is diabetic foot care?

Diabetic foot care diagnoses and treats foot-related conditions in people with diabetes. Anyone with diabetes can benefit from diabetic foot care, but it’s especially important for those with an advanced form of the disease. Regular visits to Dr. Knutson can alert you to potentially serious issues, reducing the risk of complications like gangrene and amputation.

Why is diabetic foot care important?

Diabetic foot care is important because it keeps your feet healthy and reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications. 

If you have diabetes and fail to keep your blood sugar at healthy levels, you’re more likely to experience permanent nerve damage (neuropathy). If the nerves in your feet don’t function normally, you can cut yourself or step on a sharp object and not realize it. Over time, that wound might become infected, resulting in more serious issues.

Participating in diabetic foot care is an easy and effective way to keep your diabetes in check. What’s more, Dr. Knutson can educate you about at-home foot care and diabetes management.

What happens during a diabetes foot care appointment?

At the beginning of a diabetes foot care appointment, Dr. Knutson asks several questions about your diabetes, including when you were first diagnosed, the medications you take to manage it, and if you have any other underlying medical issues.

Next, Dr. Knutson has you remove your shoes and socks. Then, he carefully examines your feet, heels, toes, and toenails. Dr. Knutson looks for issues that might be exacerbated by diabetes, like ingrown toenails, foot fungus, or bunions. 

Following the exam, Dr. Knutson orders blood work and nerve testing and measures the circulation in your feet. By collecting that information, he can determine your risk of diabetes-related complications and make adjustments to your current treatment plan as necessary.

Should I practice diabetic foot care at home?

If you have diabetes, daily diabetic foot care is a must. To reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications, Dr. Knutson recommends:

• Inspecting your feet daily for dry and cracked skin, cuts, or blisters
• Checking between your toes for cuts or fungus
• Cutting your toenails straight across
• Always wearing shoes and socks
• Washing your feet daily with soap and warm water
• Monitoring your blood sugar throughout the day
• Quitting smoking

It’s also important to live a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Knutson recommends eating a balanced diet that features fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, exercising regularly, and visiting Willamette Foot & Ankle at least once a year for a diabetic foot exam.

To learn more about the benefits of diabetic foot care, make an appointment at Willamette Foot & Ankle by calling the office or clicking the online booking feature today.