Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Early Treatments Are The Ways To Preventing Amputations

Diabetic ulcers are one of the most complex medical issues that are facing our population today. Nearly 16% of patients with diabetes will suffer from a diabetic foot ulcer. Of that group, approximately 15%- 25% will require an amputation (accounting for 86% of all diabetes-related amputations). What is more alarming, diabetic patients who have had an amputation will have a 68% mortality rate within five years if the wound does not heal and is not treated in the proper fashion. In a nutshell, diabetic ulcers are very serious and medical treatment is recommended in its early onset of development. 

Everyone knows of someone with diabetes or who has had an amputation because of diabetic foot ulcers. The statistics are very alarming and gives insight to diabetics and their loved ones on the importance of seeking medical advice to properly treat diabetic foot ulcers. Awareness of how to prevent, recognize and properly treat foot ulcers and other diabetic wounds can make a major difference. 

What Do You Need To Know?

The Causes of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

An ulcer is an open wound on the skin. It's very common to have ulcers on the feet of diabetics. The most common complications from diabetes are poor circulation and loss of feeling (neuropathy) in the feet due to diabetes-related nerve damage – making it more likely for a wound to develop and more difficult to heal.

A diabetic who uses insulin, has diabetes-related kidney or heart disease, or who is overweight, uses alcohol or tobacco has an even higher risk of developing foot ulcers.  Proper shoe gear is also an important factor in preventing diabetic ulceration. Diabetics must realize that there must be a change in lifestyle such as diet and exercising in order to make sure that they are not at a higher risk for diabetic ulcers. 

Symptoms of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Usually, there would be pain associated with a wound or an ulcer on the skin. The same loss of feeling that often leads to the development of a diabetic foot ulcer indicates that there’s often no pain associated with the ulcer. It becomes a great challenge for people to realize that an ulcer is even there in the early stages, where treatment is most effective.

Other than pain, other signs to be aware of is a discharge or drainage from the wound in the socks. Wounds that have been there for a period of time are considered (chronic) and can become infected leading to an unpleasant odor. These signs are very important indicators that the ulcer is getting worse and there is a need for urgent medical attention.  

Prevention of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

• Maintain healthy blood sugars
• Maintain normal blood pressure
• No drinking or smoking
• No walking without shoes
• Wear proper-fitting shoes
• Inspect and wash your feet daily

Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment

It's very important to seek medical treatment very early to prevent the diabetic ulcer from leading to an infection in the skin or the bone which can lead to amputation and admission into the hospital. The one mistake patients make is that they think that one can self-treat or that it will go away. The faster a foot ulcer is treated, the greater the chance it will heal completely and without infection or complication.

• Wound Offloading – All pressure and weight should be removed from the wound to allow for healing. This can be done by the use of a wheelchair, crutches, casting, or specialized shoe gear.
• Debridement: There should be the removal of all dead skin and tissue. Usually, aggressive debridement of unhealthy tissue assists in the healing of the ulcer. 
• Proper Dressings: Such as skin substitutes, collagen-infused dressings, and growth factor products that will promote new and healthy skin after the dead and unhealthy skin is debrided.
• Dressings to remove excess moisture and drainage are infused with antibiotic medication to prevent infection.
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Treatment: The chamber which is an oxygen-rich environment allows the tissues to be enriched with oxygen more efficiently which helps kill the bacteria in the wound to help heal the ulcer.
• Revascularization: Improving blood flow to the area so that the skin can heal. 

Gregg J. Williams, DPM, MBA