Diabetic Foot Surgeon in Ahmedabad

Living with diabetic foot can be challenging and distressing as it requires diligent care and regular attention to prevent complications which can significantly impact quality of life. With over 16 years of experience, our team of expert doctors at Tirtham Surgical Hospital in Ahmedabad prioritizes your comfort and well-being, ensuring you receive the highest-quality care.

Diabetic Foot Surgery

Start your journey to the best diabetic foot treatment in Ahmedabad with Dr. Alpesh Patel’s expertise in minimally invasive laparoscopic and general surgery. Enjoy the best results with our advanced techniques. Schedule your appointment today.

What is Diabetic Foot?

People with diabetes need to be extra careful about their feet because they are more likely to have foot problems, especially if they have nerve damage (neuropathy) or poor blood flow. Neuropathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage your nerves, often affecting the feet the most. Here’s how foot problems can develop in people with diabetes:

Nerve Damage: Neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling, or pain in your feet, making it hard to notice a sore or blister.

Infection Risk: Diabetes weakens your immune system, so even a small sore can easily get infected.

Poor Healing: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and reduce blood flow, slowing down the healing process.

Severe Complications: If an infection doesn’t heal, it can spread and become serious, sometimes leading to gangrene (when body tissue dies).

To prevent these issues, it’s important to take good care of your feet and manage your diabetes well. Here are some simple steps to help you:

Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, or sores.
Keep your feet clean and dry.
Wear comfortable shoes that fit well to avoid blisters.
Trim your toenails carefully.
See your doctor regularly to keep your diabetes under control.

By taking these steps, you can reduce the risk of foot problems and keep your feet healthy.

Why does Diabetic Foot Occur?

People with diabetes are prone to having diabetic foot problems due to several factors:

Poor circulation: Blood doesn’t flow well to the feet, which is a type of vascular disease. This not only causes ulcers but also makes them heal slowly.

High blood sugar: High glucose levels can delay the healing of foot ulcers. Managing blood sugar is essential because people with type 2 diabetes often struggle more with infections.

Nerve damage: Over time, diabetes can damage nerves, causing a loss of feeling in the feet. This makes it hard to notice injuries, leading to painless wounds that can turn into ulcers.

Irritated or wounded feet: Minor injuries or irritation can easily turn into ulcers if not noticed and treated quickly.

Foot Ulcers: Foot ulcers can be recognized by discharge from the affected area and sometimes a lump that may not hurt.

Common Symptoms

If you have diabetes, it’s important to contact your doctor if you notice any of the following issues with your feet:

Changes in skin color
Changes in skin temperature
Swelling in your foot or ankle
Pain in your legs
Open sores on your feet that heal slowly or are leaking fluid
Ingrown toenails or toenails infected with fungus
Corns or calluses
Dry, cracked skin, especially around the feel unusual or persistent foot odor

These signs could indicate serious problems that need medical attention. Taking care of your feet and monitoring any changes can help prevent complications.

How to Diagnose Diabetic Foot?

There are several ways to diagnose diabetic foot problems. Let’s have a detailed look at some of them:

Medical History and Physical Exam When you have a foot ulcer, your doctor will ask you the following questions:

When did you first notice it?
Do you have other conditions like nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) or poor blood flow (lower extremity arterial disease)?

The doctor will check your foot, toes, and toenails for blisters, cuts, or ingrown toenails that might lead to more ulcers. They will also feel the pulse in your foot to check blood flow. You might be asked to stand and walk so the doctor can see how your weight is distributed across your feet. Limping or an uneven gait can indicate foot problems that might cause blisters or ulcers. The doctor will also look at the shape of your foot, as misalignment can increase the risk of ulcers.

X-ray: Your doctor might suggest an X-ray to check for changes in the bones of your foot that could contribute to an ulcer. X-rays can also detect bone loss, which may result from diabetes-related hormone imbalances. Low bone mass can lead to repeated small fractures, a condition called Charcot foot, which can cause misalignment and new ulcers.

MRI Scans: MRI scans use magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the soft tissues inside your body. Your doctor may recommend an MRI to get a clearer picture of the damage caused by an ulcer and to check for inflammation, which could indicate an infection.

Blood Test: If there are signs of infection, like redness, swelling, and warmth in the foot, your doctor may order a blood test. This is done in the doctor’s office, and results are usually available within a week.

What is the Treatment of Diabetic Foot?

Some of the treatments for diabetic foot are:

Off-loading: To prevent pain from ulcers, it’s important to stay off your feet. This is called off-loading and helps all types of diabetic foot ulcers. Walking can worsen infections and make ulcers bigger.

Protective Footwear: A diabetic foot doctor near you may suggest special items to protect your feet, such as:

Shoes designed for people with diabetes
Casts
Foot braces
Compression wraps
Shoe inserts to prevent corns and calluses
Debridement: A diabetic foot doctor near you can remove foot ulcers by debridement, which involves removing dead skin or foreign objects that may have caused the ulcer.

Infection Treatment: Infections are a serious complication of foot ulcers and need immediate treatment. Not all infections are treated the same way. Tissue around the ulcer may be sent to a lab to find the right antibiotic. If a serious infection is suspected, an X-ray may be ordered to check for bone infection.

Medications: If the infection progresses despite preventive treatments, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, antiplatelets, or anticlotting medications. Many antibiotics target Staphylococcus aureus (which causes staph infections) or B-hemolytic Streptococcus (found in the intestines). Discuss with your doctor any other health conditions, like HIV or liver problems, that might increase your risk of infections.

Surgical Procedures: If other treatments don’t help your ulcer heal, your doctor diabetic foot treatment doctor might recommend surgery. A surgeon can relieve pressure around the ulcer by shaving down bone or removing foot abnormalities like bunions or hammertoes. Surgery is usually a last resort to prevent the ulcer from getting worse or leading to amputation.

What Happens if Diabetic Foot Problems are Not Treated?

If diabetic foot problems are left untreated, serious complications can occur:

Infections: Foot ulcers can quickly become infected and may lead to skin, soft tissue, or bone infections that are challenging to treat and may require hospitalization.

Gangrene: Poor circulation and untreated infections can cause tissue death (gangrene), potentially leading to the need for surgical amputation.

Delayed Healing: High blood sugar levels hinder wound healing, resulting in chronic ulcers that increase the risk of infection.

Charcot Foot: Nerve damage can weaken the bones of the foot, leading to deformity and instability that make walking difficult and increase the risk of ulcers.

Amputation: Severe infections or tissue damage may necessitate amputation of the affected area to prevent further complications or save the person’s life.

Reduced Quality of Life: Foot problems can severely impact mobility and daily life, diminishing overall quality of life and increasing dependence on others for care.

To avoid these complications, individuals with diabetes should monitor their feet daily, practice good foot care, and promptly seek medical attention for any foot issues or wounds that are slow to heal.

FAQ

How does diabetes affect the feet?

Diabetes can damage nerves (neuropathy) and blood vessels (circulatory problems), leading to reduced sensation, slower healing of wounds, and increased susceptibility to infections in the feet.

Who is the best diabetic foot doctor near me?

For expert diabetic foot treatment, consider Tirtham Hospital, home to a skilled team of surgeons under the leadership of Dr. Alpesh Patel.

What should I do if I have diabetes and plan to undergo foot surgery?

Connect with a diabetic foot care clinic near you and consult with an expert regarding your concerns. Follow all pre-surgery instructions provided by the specialist.

What should I do if I notice a change in the shape or structure of my foot?

Consult a diabetic foot doctor near you promptly to assess for conditions such as Charcot foot, foot deformities, or other complications requiring treatment or preventive measures.

What are the different types of footwear recommended for people with diabetes?

Recommended footwear includes shoes with cushioned soles, wide-toe boxes, and adjustable closures to accommodate foot changes. Diabetic socks with moisture-wicking properties can also help prevent skin irritation.

What is Charcot foot?

Charcot foot is a condition where bones in the foot weaken due to nerve damage, causing fractures and deformity that require careful management to prevent ulcers.

What is the importance of proper footwear for diabetics?

Proper footwear helps prevent foot injuries and complications by providing support, cushioning, and protection against pressure points that can lead to ulcers.

How can diabetes affect foot circulation?

Diabetes can cause the narrowing of blood vessels and reduced blood flow to the feet, impairing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients necessary for healing.

Are there specific guidelines for diabetic foot care at home?

Yes, follow daily foot care routines, wear protective footwear, keep nails trimmed, avoid walking barefoot, moisturize dry skin, and seek medical attention for any foot concerns or changes.

How can I manage foot pain associated with diabetes?

Managing foot pain involves wearing supportive footwear, practicing good foot care, using orthotic inserts if recommended, and addressing any underlying causes of pain such as neuropathy or foot deformities.

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Diabetic Foot Surgeon in Ahmedabad​