Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetic patients should make podiatric health a top priority in their lives. Diabetes is a devastating disease that affects multiple sites of the body, including your feet and lower extremities.

Two common systems that are affected in the feet are the Nervous and Vascular. Diabetes can damage the nerves of the body that can lead to burning, tingling and even numbness of the feet. This is called diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy may lead to the development of ulcerations or wounds to the feet because cuts, lesions and irritations can go unnoticed due to the diminished sensation to the feet. Wounds to the feet are dangerous and may lead to serious limb and life threatening infections.

Diabetes may also affect the blood flow going to the foot. Diminished blood flow makes even the smallest cuts, sores, or wounds difficult to heal. This can also lead to loss of tissue and even limbs if the progression is severe.

Here are some helpful tips if you are a diabetic:

  • Inspection:  Perform daily foot checks. This can either be done by having a friend or family member look at all areas of your feet. If you are by yourself, place a large handheld mirror on the floor and check the bottom of the feet this way.
  • Moisturize your feet daily to avoid itching and cracking of the skin.
  • Shoes: Wear supportive shoes at all times and minimize barefoot walking. Always inspect your shoes prior to putting them on to look for foreign objects that may irritate or cause harm to your feet. Make sure you wear appropriate shoe gear for each season. In the Winter, make sure you wear warm socks and waterproof shoes to prevent frostbite. Your doctor may recommend diabetic shoes if you have certain risk factors.
  • Applying Heat: Never use heating pads, electric blankets or blow-dryers to warm your feet. These can create burns to the feet without you noticing. Do not place your feet in hot water without first testing the temperature with your hand.
  • Medical: Monitor your blood glucose levels routinely and let your primary care physician know if they get elevated. Let your podiatrist know if you begin to experience any burning, tingling, numbness, or changes in the appearance of your feet. Avoid smoking because this decreases blood flow to your feet. Getting proper daily nutrition and exercising are also part of living a healthier diabetic lifestyle.
  • Exams: Make sure you get periodic or routine foot exams by a podiatrist to prevent complications. Having routine care by a podiatrist can prevent and reduce the risk of diabetic foot complications like infections and amputations. Having your foot doctor treat any toenail issues or calluses immediately is highly recommended. Studies have shown that up to 80% of all amputations can be preventable by well-provisioned care.

Following these tips for caring for diabetic feet can end up saving a limb.

FASMA Doctors Performing This Specialty / Service

Locations

  1. Silver Spring, MD (Fenton)
    8630 Fenton Street Suite 324
    Silver Spring, MD 20910
    Phone: 301-587-5666
    Fax: 301-589-4479

  2. Washington, DC (1775 K Street)
    1775 K Street NW Suite 580
    Washington, DC 20006
    Phone: 202-331-9727
    Fax: 202-887-0741

  3. Chapel Hill, NC
    1506 E. Franklin Street Suite 104
    Chapel Hill, NC 27514
    Phone: 919-960-8858
    Fax: 919-960-2882

  4. Charlottesville, VA (Abbey Road)
    2050 Abbey Road Suite C
    Charlottesville, VA 22911
    Phone: 434-295-4443
    Fax: 434-295-8598

  5. Culpeper, VA
    530 Sunset Lane Suite A
    Culpeper, VA 22701
    Phone: 540-825-6113
    Fax: 540-825-4937

  6. Frederick, MD (Thomas Johnson Drive)
    63 Thomas Johnson Dr Suite C
    Frederick, MD 21702
    Phone: 301-696-0818
    Fax: 301-696-8872

  7. Washington, DC (19th Street)
    1145 19th Street NW Suite 605
    Washington, DC 20036
    Phone: 202-833-9109
    Fax: 202-833-5762

  8. Palmetto Podiatry Group of Anderson
    2126B N Hwy 81
    Anderson, SC 29621
    Phone: (864) 231-6395
    Fax: (864) 231-6520

  9. Manassas, VA
    8577A Sudley Rd
    Manassas, VA 20110
    Phone: (703) 368-7166
    Fax: (703) 368-5103

  10. Reston, VA (Reston Pkwy)
    1760 Reston Pkwy., Ste 310
    Reston, VA 20190
    Phone: (703) 723-2719
    Fax: (866) 453-6775

  11. Mt Airy, MD (South)
    1502 S. Main Street Suite 307
    Mt Airy, MD 21771
    Phone: 301-829-2244
    Fax: 833-915-0243

  12. Charlotte, NC (South Park)
    6831 Fairview Road A
    Charlotte, NC 28210
    Phone: 704-376-3947
    Fax: 704-376-9487

  13. Holly Springs, NC
    1004 Werrington Drive, Ste. 300
    Holly Springs, NC 27540
    Phone: 919-850-9111
    Fax: 919-850-2499

  14. Raleigh, NC (Wake Forest Rd)
    3801 Wake Forest Rd Suite 100
    Raleigh, NC 27609
    Phone: 919-850-9111
    Fax: 919-850-2499

  15. Charlottesville, VA (Rio East Ct)
    887 Rio East Ct. Suite A
    Charlottesville, VA 22901
    Phone: 434-979-8116
    Fax: 434-979-8880

  16. Fishersville, VA
    66 Parkway Lane Suite 102
    Fishersville, VA 22939
    Phone: 540-949-5150
    Fax: 540-932-8535

  17. Ashburn, VA
    20905 Professional Plaza, Ste 310
    Ashburn, VA 20147
    Phone: (703) 723-9267
    Fax: (866) 453-6775

  18. McLean, VA
    1313 Dolley Madison Blvd., Suite 403
    McLean, VA 22101
    Phone: (703) 556-8637
    Fax: (866) 453-6775

  19. Reston, VA (Hospital Campus)
    1860 Town Center Drive Suite 220
    Reston, VA 20190
    Phone: 703-391-0211
    Fax: 703-880-1192

  20. Gastonia
    251 Wilmot Dr
    Gastonia, NC 28054
    Phone: 704-861-0425
    Fax: 704-861-0274

  21. Alpine Podiatry – Rock Hill
    430 S. Herlong Avenue, Suite 105
    Rock Hill, SC 29732
    Phone: (803) 327-2217
    Fax: (803) 327-2272

  22. Cary, NC
    103 Parkway Office Court Suite 100
    Cary, NC 27518
    Phone: 919-481-3338
    Fax: 919-467-2436

  23. Dunn, NC
    700 Tilghman Drive Suite 722
    Dunn, NC 28334
    Phone: 910-892-3338
    Fax: 910-892-2706

  24. Lake Ridge, VA
    1721 Financial Loop
    Lake Ridge, VA 22192
    Phone: (703) 491-9500
    Fax: (703) 491-9994

  25. Stafford, VA
    945 Garrisonville Road
    Stafford, VA 22554
    Phone: (540) 720-0700
    Fax: (540) 720-4449

  26. Henderson, NC
    451 Ruin Creek Road Suite 202
    Henderson, NC 27536
    Phone: 252-438-4426
    Fax: 252-430-1709

  27. Rockville, MD (North Bethesda)
    11801 Rockville Pike Suite 105
    Rockville, MD 20852
    Phone: 301-881-6222
    Fax: 301-881-1639

  28. Kensington, MD
    10901 Connecticut Avenue Suite 200
    Kensington, MD 20895
    Phone: 301-949-2000
    Fax: 301-949-2002

  29. Rockville, MD (Shady Grove Rd)
    15215 Shady Grove Rd Suite 307
    Rockville, MD 20850
    Phone: 240-268-7450
    Fax: 301-949-8833

  30. Chevy Chase, MD
    5530 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 945
    Chevy Chase, MD 20815
    Phone: 301-913-5225
    Fax: 301-913-9145

  31. Silver Spring, MD (International Drive)
    3801 International Drive Suite 204
    Silver Spring, MD 20906
    Phone: 301-598-0130
    Fax: 301-598-5091

  32. Apex, NC
    1001 Pemberton Hill Road Suite 102
    Apex, NC 27502
    Phone: 919-363-3310
    Fax: 919-363-3370

  33. Concord, NC
    492 Copperfield Blvd NE
    Concord, NC 28025
    Phone: 704-788-9797
    Fax: 704-788-6830

  34. University, NC
    8310 Medical Plaza Drive Suite E
    Charlotte, NC 28262
    Phone: 704-548-0222
    Fax: 704-548-1157

  35. Ballantyne, NC
    9216 Ardrey Kell Road Suite 100
    Charlotte, NC 28277
    Phone: 704-544-6517
    Fax: 704-544-2988

  36. Frederick, MD (Solarex Ct)
    604 Solarex Court Suite 103
    Frederick, MD 21703
    Phone: 301-698-9260
    Fax: 301-698-8962

  37. Greencastle, PA
    50 Eastern Ave Suite 122
    Greencastle, PA 17225
    Phone: 717-643-0795
    Fax: 717-643-0833

  38. Hagerstown, MD
    11110 Medical Campus Road Suite 100
    Hagerstown, MD 21742
    Phone: 301-739-1575
    Fax: 301-739-1578

  39. Gettysburg, PA
    506 W. Middle Street
    Gettysburg, PA 17325
    Phone: 717-778-3338
    Fax: 717-778-3340

  40. Wake Foot & Ankle – Wake Forest
    833C Wake Forest Business Park
    Wake Forest, NC 27587
    Phone: 919-230-7233

  41. Alleghany, VA
    1 ARH Lane Suite 101
    Low Moor, VA 24457
    Phone: 540-344-3668
    Fax: 540-774-4615

  42. Roanoke, VA
    222 Walnut Avenue SW
    Roanoke , VA 24016
    Phone: 540-344-3668
    Fax: 540-343-2457

  43. Salem, VA
    1802 Braeburn Drive Suite A2130
    Salem, VA 24153
    Phone: 540-344-3668
    Fax: 540-774-4615



  44. ,
    Phone:

  45. Charlotte, NC (Pineville)
    10370 Park Rd. #100
    Charlotte, NC 28210
    Phone: 704-542-8253

  46. Private: Benson, NC
    1 Medical Drive
    Benson, NC 27504
    Phone: 919-363-3310
    Fax: 919-363-3370

  47. Matthews, NC
    534 West John St. Suite 100
    Matthews, NC 28105
    Phone: 704-847-9788

  48. Waxhaw, NC
    323 N. Broome St.
    Waxhaw, NC 28173
    Phone: 704-847-9788

  49. Lincolnton, NC
    626 Clark Dr.
    Lincolnton, NC 28092
    Phone: 704-847-9788

  50. Harrisburg, NC
    3800 Highway 49 South
    Harrisburg, NC 28075
    Phone: 704-455-2999
    Fax: 704-455-1624

  51. Columbia, MD
    11055 Little Patuxent Pkwy Suite 204
    Columbia, MD 21044
    Phone: 410-730-2623
    Fax: 410-992-4779

  52. Fairfax, VA (Hamaker Court)
    3020 Hamaker Court Suite 201
    Fairfax, VA 22031
    Phone: 703-207-0073

  53. Annapolis, MD
    129 Lubrano Drive Suite 303
    Annapolis, MD 21401
    Phone: 410-266-7575
    Fax: 410-266-7366

  54. Colonial Heights, VA
    4720 Puddledock Road Suite 120
    Prince George, VA 23875
    Phone: 804-320-3668
    Fax: 844-468-5770

  55. Richmond, VA
    1465 Johnston Willis Drive
    Richmond, VA 23235
    Phone: 804-320-3668
    Fax: 844-468-5770

  56. Pasadena, MD
    8155 Ritchie Highway Suite B
    Pasadena, MD 21122
    Phone: 410-768-5800
    Fax: 410-768-5806

  57. Clarksville, MD
    6100 Day Long Lane Suite 208
    Clarksville, MD 21029
    Phone: 443-535-8770
    Fax: 443-535-8775

  58. Alpine Podiatry – Fort Mill
    105 Ben Casey Drive, Suite 133
    Fort Mill, SC 29708
    Phone: (803) 396-8670
    Fax: (803) 396-8657

  59. Huntersville, NC
    16419 Northcross Dr Suite A
    Huntersville, NC 28078
    Phone: 704-987-9585

  60. Harrisburg, PA
    4033 Linglestown Road Suite 1
    Harrisburg, PA 17112
    Phone: 717-651-0000

  61. Hampton, VA
    2210 Executive Drive Suite E
    Hampton, VA 23666
    Phone: 757-896-8800
    Fax: 757-896-8832

  62. Newport News, VA
    754 McGuire Place
    Newport News, VA 23601
    Phone: 757-599-5710
    Fax: 757-591-0552

  63. Greenbelt, MD
    7501 Greenway Center Dr Suite 810
    Greenbelt, MD 20770
    Phone: 301-577-4464
    Fax: 301-577-4702

  64. Mountain Island, NC
    10310 Couloak Drive Suite 200
    Charlotte, NC 28216
    Phone: 704-971-4000
    Fax: 704-971-2379

  65. Mechanicsburg, PA
    2025 Technology Parkway Suite 201
    Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
    Phone: 717-651-0000

  66. Gaithersburg, MD
    702 Russell Avenue, Suite 103 PNC Bank Building
    Gaithersburg, MD 20877
    Phone: (301) 948-3668
    Fax: (301) 926-7787

  67. Newport, PA
    300 Bretz Ct
    Newport, PA 17074
    Phone: 717-651-0000

  68. Martinsville, VA
    1 Dudley Street
    Martinsville, VA 24112
    Phone: 540-344-3668
    Fax: 540-774-4615