A diabetic foot ulcer is an open wound or a sore that develops most commonly on the skin or bottom surface of a foot in a person with diabetes. Find out about treating and managing diabetic foot ulcers in Hoshiarpur.
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open wound or a sore that develops most commonly on the skin or bottom surface of a foot in a person with diabetes. People with diabetic foot ulcers are mostly hospitalized due to infection or other complications of the ulcers. Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the common reasons for nontraumatic lower limb amputation worldwide; hence, it is important to manage diabetic foot ulcers timely. Read on to learn more about the causes of diabetic foot ulcers, their diagnosis, and management.
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open wound or a sore in a diabetic person. In this, there is a loss of partial or full skin thickness. Diabetic foot ulcers are painless because there is a loss of sensation in the feet (this occurs due to the development of diabetic neuropathy, a complication of diabetes).
Foot ulcers are one of the complications seen in people in whom diabetes it is not managed adequately by diet, exercise, or medications. These foot ulcers form because the skin tissue breaks down, exposing the deeper layers underneath it. Diabetic foot ulcers are most commonly found under your big toe, balls of your feet, over the plantar and bottom surface of the foot, etc., and they can even extend to the bones underneath the skin. Individuals with diabetes (type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus) have a risk of developing foot ulcers, but proper foot care is important to prevent their development. The treatment of diabetic ulcers depends on the cause of ulcers, and timely intervention can help prevent complications.
Almost anyone with diabetes can develop foot ulcers. Diabetic foot ulcers are usually caused due to poor and decreased blood circulation, chronic and uncontrolled type 1 and type 2 diabetes, nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), and foot or skin injury.
Diabetic foot ulcers are painless, and sometimes the symptoms will not appear until the ulcer becomes infected.
If you are a diabetic and notice skin discoloration or an open wound that is not healing or any pain around a recent injury, contact your surgeon in Hoshiarpur immediately.
Diagnosis of a diabetic ulcer is important for its treatment. Your surgeon will take a complete history of your disease and physically examine the ulcer. Some tests would be advised by your surgeon to arrive at the diagnosis. This will enable the surgeon to plan your treatment accordingly.
0: no open lesions; may have healed lesion
1: superficial ulcer without penetration to deeper layers
2: deeper ulcer, reaching tendon, bone, or joint capsule
3: deeper tissues involved, with abscess, osteomyelitis, or tendonitis
4: gangrene in a portion of the forefoot or heel
5: extensive gangrenous involvement of the entire foot
Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers in Hoshiarpur is essential as if not treated may result in amputation of the limb or other serious complications.
The primary aim of the treatment is to enter the healing phase; the faster the healing, the fewer chances of developing infections. The treatment can be medical or surgical.
Medical
The treatment is divided into 5 parts:
Preventing The Infection
Not all diabetic foot ulcers will get infected, but if it does, your surgeon with start with antibiotics, wound care, and hospitalization will be necessary. To avoid the infection, it is important to:
Off-loading
For proper healing, it is recommended that the ulcers must be off-loaded (especially the ulcers present at the bottom of the foot). You will be advised to wear special footwear, a brace, a cast, or use a wheelchair or crutches, as they can remove pressure and irritation to the ulcer. This also helps in healing.
Debridement
The ulcer should be debrided to remove any dead (necrotic) or infected tissue before applying medications. This allows the ulcer to heal properly.
Medications
The foremost objective in managing foot ulcers in diabetes is to heal the ulcer before it gets infected. Diabetic foot ulcer treatment needs antibiotics. To prevent infection, cleanse the wound of the debris. To enhance the healing process, topical medication application is applied before dressing.
Managing sugar levels and other ailments
Keeping your blood sugar levels in check is of utmost importance during treating a diabetic foot ulcer. You should take your diabetic medications regularly, exercise and eat a well-balanced diabetic diet. If any associated health conditions like cardiac or high blood pressure are present with diabetes, ensure they are controlled to reduce the risk of complications.
Surgical
When conservative treatment fails, the doctor suggests a surgical procedure. Surgical management includes the excision of bones, correction of deformities like hammertoes, bunions, or bony projections, and amputation when tissue damage is irreversible.
Healing is a long process and may take weeks or even several months.
The starting of a diabetic foot ulcer is with an injury which then progresses to swelling, itching, and burning sensation. If not treated on time, some complications can develop like:
The ideal way to treat a diabetic foot ulcer is to prevent its formation in the first place.
Surgery can be a daunting aspect, and feeling anxious is absolutely normal. The massive amount of information you can get from the internet may confuse you even more. This is where Medfin can help. Leave us the hefty task of finding the best hospital, the finest doctor, and the latest procedure at the lowest cost. Let us take charge while you sit back and focus on your health and recovery. Think surgery! Think Medfin!
The cost of diabetic foot ulcer treatment in Hoshiarpur can range between ₹56000 to ₹110000. However, the cost of diabetic foot ulcer treatment can vary depending on several factors such as the surgeon's experience and expertise, the complexity of the procedure, the type of anesthesia used, the facility fees, any additional tests or medications required, and insurance coverage. To know more, please contact a Medfin expert.
After my consultation with the doctor, MEDFIN representative got me a fixed package cost that included my mothers initial tests, surgery cost. They also gave me stockings free for Rs. 3000 post the surgery. They kept up their promise they made
It varies from person to person. It must be worn at all times (except for eating and bathing), even while you are asleep.
Thank you Medfin. They ensured the whole process from selecting a very experienced doctor to offering the latest procedure at a very reasonable price. They also arranged a follow up post my surgery with the doctor to ensure my recovery was on track. Thank you for being there throughout
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Those who are above the age of 40 and have other genetic factors that can contribute as risk factors must go for annual eye exams. e.g. Family history of retinal disease, heart disease patients, and metabolic diseases like diabetes.
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