Diabetic Ulcers

Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Specialists located in Dallas, TX, Fort Worth, TX, Frisco, TX, Overland Park, KS, San Antonio, TX, The Woodlands, TX, Tyler, TX, & Little Rock, AR

About 15% of people with diabetes will experience diabetic ulcers. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, ulcers can become infected, requiring surgical intervention or amputation. At Wound Evolution in Fort Worth, Dallas, San Antonio, Texas, and Overland Park, Kansas, the team of wound care specialists offer safe, effective treatments for diabetic ulcers. To schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, call or book online today.

What Are Diabetic Ulcers?

Diabetic ulcers are open sores on the skin that heal slowly and increase your risk of infection. They can also lead to gangrene, a dangerous condition that causes the surrounding tissue to die and can potentially become fatal. Diabetic ulcers often form on your lower extremities, including the legs, feet, and toes, but can also occur on your hands or stomach.

If you have diabetes, these ulcers can cause your blood sugar levels to spike. High blood sugar levels can damage your nerves and veins when left unmanaged.

Over time, this prevents blood flow from reaching your extremities, making it harder for sores or cuts to heal.

Diabetes also increases your risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD) –– another chronic condition that negatively affects blood flow –– and diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage). When the nerves in your feet don’t work as they should, you can cut or injure yourself and not realize it. This makes it possible for minor wounds to turn into ulcers.

What Are the Symptoms of Diabetic Ulcers?

Diabetic ulcers are open wounds or sores that can also produce other symptoms. Some of the primary symptoms associated with diabetic ulcers include:
Numbness or loss of feeling in the feet
Swelling or discoloration in the area
Redness in the toes or feet
Drainage or fluid
Pain or firmness along the wound

Is There Any Way to Prevent Diabetic Ulcers?

There are ways to prevent diabetic ulcers and reduce your risk of them. If you want to lower your risk of diabetic ulcers, it’s important you regularly monitor your blood sugar levels and keep them in check. Because most diabetic ulcers are found on the feet, some primary prevention methods include shoe and foot care.

Additionally, Wound Evolution - Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine recommend you:

Inspect your skin every day, especially the skin of your feet and toes
Don’t smoke
Don’t walk barefoot
Visit the doctor regularly for checkups
Improve poor circulation
Wear shoes that fit correctly and provide support

You can also lower your risk of diabetic ulcers by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. The healthier your lifestyle, the better.

Reclaim your health and peace of mind.

Book Your Appointment Today

Why Choose Wound Evolution?

Wound Evolution is the premier provider of wound care and treatment. Our highly-trained staff can examine your wounds and help accurately diagnose the cause while also providing a treatment plan that is customized to your unique needs and lifestyle.

We have four convenient office locations across Texas and Kansas, ensuring you always have access to quality wound care. Each of our locations provides a range of state-of-the-art treatment options and is ready to address a wide range of injuries or wounds. Contact Wound Evolution today to schedule your appointment.

How Are Diabetic Ulcers Diagnosed?

To diagnose diabetic ulcers, the Wound Evolution - Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine team conducts a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and asks about your symptoms and lifestyle. During your exam, your provider carefully examines your feet, toes, and ankles, looking for cuts, blisters, redness, or warmth from the skin.

Usually, these measures are enough to provide a diagnosis and establish the diabetic ulcer stage. However, if your provider suspects another underlying health problem, they might order blood tests or diagnostic imaging to get a closer look at the bones, joints, and soft tissue in your feet and ankles.

How Are Diabetic Ulcers Treated?

Treatment of diabetic ulcers begins with wound debridement. This procedure involves the team at Wound Evolution - Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine carefully removing diseased or damaged tissue from around the ulcer, which encourages healing. Your provider also develops a custom treatment plan to prevent your ulcer from becoming infected or getting bigger.

This usually combines several treatments, including daily cleaning of the ulcer, bandaging or compression therapy, and topical prescription medications. Some of the most common topical treatments include saline solutions, growth factors, and bioengineered skin grafts.

Schedule Your Appointment

Diabetic ulcers can lead to further health complications and significantly impact your quality of life. If you or a loved one has a diabetic ulcer, schedule an appointment at Wound Evolution - Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine. To book your appointment, you can call one of our office locations or use the form below to book your appointment online. Our team is ready to help you get back to the activities you enjoy!