At Arlington/Mansfield Foot and Ankle Centers, our expert team of podiatrists, including Dr. John Landry, Dr. R. David Warren, Dr. Linnie Rabjohn, and Dr. Ryan Lawrence, is dedicated to helping patients in Arlington and Mansfield, Texas, manage their foot and ankle health, especially when dealing with the complications of diabetes.
Since November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, the team explains the stages of a diabetic foot in this month’s blog.
Diabetes can cause nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor blood flow, making it challenging to feel injuries and for wounds to heal. That means a simple cut or blister can turn into a serious infection. To help you understand the progression of diabetic foot issues, we use the Wagner-Meggitt classification system to outline the five stages of diabetic foot ulcers.
Understanding these stages can help you know when to seek immediate medical care.
At this initial stage, the skin is still intact, but there are warning signs such as calluses, blisters, or other pre-ulcerative lesions, often over bony areas. Due to diabetic neuropathy, you might not feel any pain, which is why daily foot inspection is essential.
A superficial ulcer is a shallow, open sore that involves only the top layers of skin. It may look like a scrape or a blister that has broken open. Though it may not seem serious, any break in the skin becomes a risk for infection.
This is a more serious ulcer that extends deeper into the skin, potentially exposing tendons, ligaments, or joint capsules. The risk of infection is much higher at this stage, and the wound will likely have more drainage.
At this stage, the ulcer is not only deep but is also infected. This can lead to a collection of pus (abscess) or a bone infection (osteomyelitis). These are serious conditions that require immediate medical attention to prevent the infection from spreading.
The final and most severe stage is gangrene, which is tissue death caused by a lack of blood flow and severe infection. This can affect a small area, like a toe, or the entire foot.
The good news is that with proper care, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing serious diabetic foot problems. Here are some tips from our team:
When you have diabetes, taking care of your feet is essential. If you notice any changes in your feet or have a sore that isn't healing, don't wait. Contact Arlington/Mansfield Foot and Ankle Centers today.
