Diabetic Care Specialist
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Foot and Ankle Excellence
Bruni Leka, DPM
Podiatrist & Foot and Ankle Specialist located in Philadelphia, PA
People with diabetes require specialized foot care to ward off serious complications that may lead to amputation. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based podiatrist Bruni Leka, DPM, provides compassionate and comprehensive diabetic foot care at her practice, Foot and Ankle Excellence. If you or a loved one needs diabetic foot care, call or book an appointment online today.
Diabetic Care
How does diabetes affect my feet?
Foot problems related to diabetes are a major health concern. If you have diabetes, even a small foot wound can lead to a serious infection in a matter of days. Diabetes affects your feet in two main ways:
Poor circulation
Diabetes can reduce the blood flow to your feet. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients that are essential to the healing process. Poor circulation makes it difficult for your feet to heal from an injury or prevent infection.
Nerve damage
About 60-70% of people with diabetes have some type of nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy. Though neuropathy can affect nerves in any part of your body, it’s most common in the feet and legs.
Neuropathy in your feet can cause a lack of sensation, which means you may not feel pain when you have a cut or blister. Pain is your body’s way of alerting you of an injury or other problem. Without this sensation to warn you, a wound may go unnoticed and untreated for too long.
How can I prevent diabetic foot problems?
Diabetic foot problems are a common cause of hospitalization and amputation, but they’re also preventable. To avoid serious foot problems, you should:
- Keep your blood sugar under control
- Inspect your feet daily for problems like ingrown toenails, nail fungus, cuts, and blisters
- Trim your nails straight across
- Keep your feet warm and dry
- Avoid smoking cigarettes
- Never treat corns or calluses by yourself
- Avoid walking barefoot
You should also see Dr. Leka at Foot and Ankle Excellence for routine foot exams.
When should I see a podiatrist for diabetic foot care?
Schedule an appointment at Foot and Ankle Excellence as soon as you notice changes to your foot, such as swelling, wounds, or nail problems. Attempting to treat these problems on your own may lead to infection.
Even if you aren’t experiencing a foot problem, you should see Dr. Leka regularly for diabetic foot exams. The frequency of these visits depends on your specific condition. If needed, Dr. Leka may recommend diabetic foot treatments, including:
- Diabetic wound care
- Custom-molded orthotics
- SureFit™ diabetic shoes for Medicare patients
To learn how you can keep your feet healthy with diabetes, call Foot and Ankle Excellence or book an appointment online today.
