Thousand Oaks Diabetic Foot Care

Treatment for Foot Ulcers

People with diabetes are more susceptible to foot ulcers. Foot ulcers can get infected and spread throughout the entire body if not treated. One of the side effects of diabetes is reduced blood flow to the legs. If severe enough, reduced blood flow can result in neuropathy, which makes people lose feeling in their feet. This means that they might not realize they have painful injuries on their feet, and what started as a callus or sore can evolve into an ulcer.

At Performance Foot and Ankle, we provide treatment for diabetic foot ulcers. Even if an ulcer develops, there is still time to have it removed before it spreads the infection to the bone. We also participate in the Medicare Diabetic Shoe Program to help patients reduce their risk of developing a foot ulcer.

Do I Have a Foot Ulcer?

Most people will know they have an ulcer because they are very painful. Patients with diabetes-related neuropathy, however, will need to check their feet regularly for the warning signs.

Foot ulcers look like red craters in the skin. You can usually find them on the sides or bottoms of the feet. They are usually small, but noticeable, and they may be surrounded by thick or calloused skin. The ulcer will grow and get deeper over time, and the risk of infection will increase as it does.

Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program

Medicare can pay for a significant portion of a custom orthotic designed to prevent shoe ulcers. In order to qualify for this program, you must have at least one of the following:

• Peripheral neuropathy
• A previous foot ulcer
• Diagnosed poor circulation
• Foot deformity
• Amputated foot
• A history of calluses

At Performance Foot and Ankle, we provide customized orthopedic shoes designed specifically for each individual patient. These shoes should relieve pressure areas on the foot, creating a softer experience for the feet and making it harder for calluses to form. We provide footwear for both men and women.