Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Care Program
Diabetes can seriously affect foot health through peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) and peripheral arterial disease (poor circulation). At Foot Centers of Maryland, we know these complications create a high-risk situation in which a small injury can quickly turn into a non-healing ulcer. Our comprehensive diabetic foot care program helps patients in Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Timonium, and Reisterstown, MD prevent complications and protect their mobility.
Request an AppointmentSigns of High Risk
Seek professional care right away at any of our offices if you experience:
- Neuropathy Symptoms: Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in the feet. Learn more about peripheral neuropathy.
- Vascular Symptoms: Cold feet, weak pulses, skin color changes, or slow-healing cuts.
- Visual Changes: Any wound, sore, or ulcer, no matter how small.
- Nail Issues: Severe ingrown nails or thick fungal nails that are unsafe to trim yourself.
What a Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam Includes
Regular professional exams are the cornerstone of preventive care:
- Neurological Testing: Monofilament testing to identify areas of reduced sensation.
- Vascular Screening: Checking pulses and blood flow to assess circulation.
- Skin and Nail Inspection: Looking for pre-ulcer signs such as calluses, redness, blisters, or fungus.
- Debridement and Trimming: Safe professional trimming of calluses and nails that should never be attempted at home.
- Footwear Review: Checking that your shoes fit properly and protect your feet.
Treatment and Prevention Strategies
- Therapeutic Footwear: Diabetic shoes and custom inserts that off-load pressure and prevent ulcers.
- Wound Prevention: Identifying and correcting structural problems such as hammertoes and bunions that create high-pressure areas.
- Wound Management: Immediate, specialized care for active ulcers through our wound care program.
- Education: Teaching daily foot inspection and when to seek care.
How Often Should You Be Seen?
Every person with diabetes should have a comprehensive foot exam at least once a year. If you have neuropathy, poor circulation, a foot deformity, or a history of ulcers, you will likely need more frequent visits. Our team will create a schedule based on your individual risk level.
Partnering in Your Care
Good blood sugar control, daily self-checks, and regular podiatry visits work together to prevent amputations. We coordinate with your primary care doctor and endocrinologist to keep your care consistent. For daily tips on protecting your feet, visit our diabetic foot care guide.
Diabetic Foot Exam FAQs
What happens during a diabetic foot exam?
Your podiatrist checks sensation with monofilament testing, evaluates pulses and circulation, inspects your skin and nails, trims calluses and nails safely, and reviews your footwear.
How often do I need a diabetic foot exam?
At least once a year, and more often if you have neuropathy, poor circulation, deformities, or a history of ulcers.
What are the warning signs of a diabetic foot problem?
Numbness, tingling, cold feet, color changes, slow-healing cuts, blisters, sores, or thick and ingrown nails all warrant prompt care.
Can diabetic shoes prevent ulcers?
Yes. Therapeutic shoes and custom inserts reduce pressure on high-risk areas, which lowers the risk of ulcers.
What is peripheral arterial disease?
Peripheral arterial disease is narrowing of the arteries that reduces blood flow to the feet, which slows healing and raises infection risk.
Why should I avoid trimming calluses myself?
With reduced sensation and circulation, small cuts can become serious wounds. Professional debridement is much safer.
Can diabetic foot care prevent amputation?
Regular exams, early treatment of problems, proper footwear, and good blood sugar control greatly reduce the risk of amputation.
Schedule Your Diabetic Foot Exam
Protect your feet and your mobility with regular diabetic foot care. Call (410) 844-4700 - Overlea Office , (410) 844-4700 - Mercy Office , (410) 844-4700 - Reisterstown Office , (410) 844-4700 - Glen Burnie Office or (410) 844-4700 - Lutherville Office or request an appointment at our Overlea, Mercy, Glen Burnie, Lutherville, or Reisterstown office.