What You Need To Know About Foot Ulcers In Saratoga Springs, UT

Foot problems can indeed have a significant impact on our quality of life. If you suffer from diabetic foot ulcers or know someone else dealing with this condition, then we encourage learning as much about their symptoms and how best to treat them so these discomforting experiences don’t continue!

What Are Foot Ulcers?

Foot ulcers are a common problem for people with diabetes. Foot ulcers are open sores or wounds in the foot that do not heal or keep returning after they heal. They are symptoms of other health conditions such as diabetes in many cases.

Medically, they are called Neurotrophic (diabetic) Ulcers. This is because they occur in patients who have diabetes. That is why people with diabetes are advised not to walk barefooted.

These issues are usually seen at the bottom of the feet. That said, ulcers caused by trauma can be located anywhere on foot. They can be black/brown or red/pink at the base. The skin surrounding the ulcer is punched out and often calloused.

While they frequently occur in diabetic patients, they can also occur in people with a mild feet sensation.

If you notice these issues and would like to relieve pain, reach out to our professionals at the Rogers Foot and Ankle Institute. We would be pleased to know more about your blood glucose levels and offer our medical assistance promoting healthy feet.

If you face diabetic neuropathy, issues with blood flow, and related matters, reach out to our medical professionals today.

The Causes Of Foot Related Ulcers

The primary causes of foot-related ulcers are:

• Diabetes
• Nerve damage
• Neuropathy and peripheral artery disease

Diabetes is the major risk factor for getting foot ulcers. Nerve damage doesn’t directly cause foot ulcers. Instead, they cause a loss of sensation, thereby preventing patients from realizing they have sores in their feet.

Foot ulcers (or the leg generally) are also caused by:

• Smoking
• Staying in one position for too long
• Poor blog circulation, sometimes caused by arteriosclerosis
• Kidney failure
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Venous insufficiency
• Hypertension
• Lymphedema
• High blood pressure
• Sickle cell anemia
• Genetics
• Certain medication

Our professionals will help with wound care, preventive measures, and even custom orthotics. If you are looking for effective patient care, early intervention, and effective treatments, reach out to our professionals today.

Our doctors ensure that you have everything you need, from specially made devices designed to minimize issues to providing you with recommendations for running shoes that keep your feet healthy.

The Symptoms Of Foot Ulcers

The symptoms of foot ulcers vary from individual to individual. Some patients report painful ulcers, while others do not.

There are no uniform symptoms in patients dealing with foot ulcers. Some common symptoms are:

• Swelling in the affected leg(s)
• Burning or itching sensation
• Rashes
• Discoloration of the skin
• Dry and scaly skin

If you notice any of these issues, reach out to our professionals at the Rogers Foot and Ankle Institute today. We would be pleased to have you at our clinic and provide you with the best level of care when it comes to foot and ankle matters.

How To Treat Foot Ulcers

Treatment for foot ulcers is focused on:

1. Relieving pain
2. Speeding up recovery
3. Healing the wound

The particular treatment option is based on the patient’s health, care for the wound, and medical condition.

Common treatment options include:

• Antibiotics to treat infections
• Antiplatelet medications to prevent blood clotting
• Care therapies for managing the wound
• Compression garments
• Prosthetics to help the patient regain or improve normal lifestyle function

Foot Care For People At Risk Of Foot Ulcers

Ulcers generally are treated through special care to the skin and foot. People must inspect their skin and feet regularly. This is especially important for people with diabetes. Early detection and treatment of diabetics can prevent infection and stop the wound from worsening over time.

You are advised to do the following:

• Wash the feet area daily. The foot and surrounding areas should be washed gently with mild soap and lukewarm water. Regularly washing helps loosen and remove dead skin cells, dirt, and discharges from the ulcer.
• Dry the skin. The skin and feet should be thoroughly, yet gently, dried after washing. The spaces between the toes should be dried gently. They should not be rubbed aggressively.
• Daily examination. People, particularly diabetic patients, should examine their legs and feet daily. The examination should cover the tops and bottoms of the feet and the spaces between the toes. Be on the lookout for cracks, cuts, scratches, blisters, or any other sign of sores. You can examine your legs using a mirror or ask a family member to help you out. You should also check for corns, ingrown toenails, increased warmth, and calluses.
• Apply moisturizing cream. You should apply a lanolin-based cream to the feet and legs to prevent the skin from drying up and cracking. Don’t apply the cream to open sores or areas between the toes. You should use the cream once or twice a day. It can be applied more than twice if the skin is dehydrated.
• Regularly care for toenails. You should cut your toenails after you’ve had your bath. Use a nail file to cut straight across the toenail smoothly. Bathing will make your toenails soft.
• Regular checkups. Those with issues should regularly go for a check-up with a foot and ankle doctor. Follow the doctor’s guidelines. Also, report any foot or skin problems.

Work With Our Professionals At The Rogers Foot And Ankle Institute For Treatments And To Avoid Further Complications

At Rogers Foot and Ankle Institute, we are here to help with everything related to your feet. We have experts in modern foot procedures and treatments. We are committed to continuing education and staying up-to-date on the latest techniques. We understand that further complications can create problems over the long term. These issues affect your body and your overall quality of life.

We will ensure you have heel pain, varicose veins, or Charcot foot troubleshooting so that we can get them under control quickly!

Work with our professionals to obtain the best care when it comes to diabetes-related foot conditions, ankle injuries, vascular disease, wound care, and foot and ankle problems.

Set an appointment to discuss your injury, wounds, and other needs today. Contact us at 801-756-4200 today!