Diabetic foot ulcers
Diabetes can reduce feeling in the feet (neuropathy) and slow blood flow. A small blister or cut can go unnoticed and turn into a deep wound. With fast, coordinated care, most diabetic foot ulcers heal.
When to get help now: Fever, spreading redness or black skin on the foot are emergencies. Go to the emergency room or call 911.
Warning signs
- A sore, blister or crack on the foot that is not getting better
- Drainage on your sock
- Redness, warmth or swelling
- A bad smell from the wound
- Skin that turns dark or black
Who is at risk
- People with diabetes, especially with neuropathy
- Past foot ulcer or amputation
- Poor circulation
- Foot deformities such as bunions or hammertoes
How we treat it
Advanced wound care
Debridement, specialized dressings, negative pressure therapy and skin substitutes.
Offloading & total contact casting
Taking pressure off a foot wound so it can heal, the most important step for diabetic foot ulcers.
Endovascular revascularization
Minimally invasive procedures to reopen blocked leg arteries: angioplasty, stenting and atherectomy.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
Breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber to help hard-to-heal wounds.
Medically reviewed by: [Clinician name, credentials] · Last reviewed: [date]