Diabetic Wounds

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

If you have Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes, you are at risk of developing diabetic wounds. Although they are uncommon, diabetic wounds can lead to serious complications that negatively affect your mobility and impact your quality of life. At Wound Evolution in Fort Worth, Dallas, San Antonio, Texas, and Overland Park, Kansas, our team of wound care specialists offer holistic, synergistic treatment for diabetic wounds. To schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, call or book online today.

What Are Diabetic Wounds?

Diabetic wounds are slow-healing sores that develop on the bottom of your heels, feet, or toes. About 6% of people who experience a diabetic wound require hospitalization or experience other, more severe health problems.

Diabetic foot wounds precede 85% of diabetes-related amputations. If you have diabetes and notice a wound, it’s important to seek professional medical help as soon as possible in order to decrease your risk of amputation.

Who Experiences Diabetic Wounds?

Anyone with diabetes can experience a diabetic wound, but they’re especially common in certain groups, including Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and older men. You are also more likely to experience a diabetic foot wound if you:

Use insulin
Have heart or kidney disease
Are overweight
Smoke
Regularly drink alcohol

The length of time you’ve had diabetes also plays a role. The longer you have high blood sugar, the more likely you are to experience permanent nerve damage. This negatively affects feeling in your lower extremities, so you can cut or injure yourself and not realize it.

Diabetic Wounds Complications

If a diabetic wound is not treated correctly, it can progress to create more serious health concerns. Some of the most common complications include:

Foot injuries
Infections
Ulcers
Nerve damage
Poor blood circulation
Bone damage

Some wounds may also cause damage to the surrounding tissue and bones, so amputation becomes necessary. Amputation is the only treatment option available when damage has reached this level. This is why it is vital to seek treatment as soon as possible.

What Are the Symptoms of Diabetic Wounds?

The symptoms of diabetic wounds vary depending on the location and severity. Some of the most common indications include:

Redness
Warmth
Swelling
Drainage on your socks

As a diabetic wound grows larger, you might also notice a foul odor coming from it. Wound Evolution can evaluate your wounds to determine if you are experiencing a diabetic wound and help you find proper treatment.

How Are Diabetic Wounds Diagnosed?

To diagnose diabetic wounds, our team of specialists at Wound Evolution will conduct a physical exam, ask you about your symptoms and lifestyle, and review your medical history.

Your provider carefully observes your feet, toes, and ankles during your exam looking for tissue damage, redness, or flaky skin. Most diabetic wounds are visible to the naked eye, so it is easy to make a diagnosis on observation alone.

In some cases, a diabetic wound can progress to a bone infection. If your provider suspects you have a bone infection, they may also order X-rays or an MRI.

How Are Diabetic Wounds Treated?

Treatment of diabetic foot wounds usually begins with a process called off-loading. Wounds along the feet can be difficult to heal as when you walk, you continuously put pressure on the area. In order to take off this pressure, you will be required to wear special footgear or a brace or use a wheelchair or crutches. Taking the pressure off your foot reduces irritation and swelling, allowing your body’s natural healing to take place.

Your provider might also recommend compression therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, wound debridement, or topical treatments like bioengineered skin grafts. Your provider will recommend a customized treatment plan to best address your diabetic wounds during your initial evaluation.

Why Choose Wound Evolution?

Wound Evolution offers patients a comprehensive solution for wound care. We have several convenient office locations across both Texas and Kansas, each equipped with a range of state-of-the-art treatment methods. When you work with Wound Evolution, our highly-trained providers will work with you on every step of your care journey. Our staff works with patients to determine the cause of their wounds and then find a personalized treatment plan that can deliver lasting results.

Schedule Your Consultation

Don’t let diabetic wounds keep you sidelined or cause you to miss out on the activities you enjoy. Contact one of our offices to schedule an appointment at Wound Evolution - Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine. We have several office locations across Texas and Kansas, making it easier than ever to access quality care. Our staff provides a range of comprehensive treatments to help you achieve lasting relief. If you are interested in an appointment with one of our providers, call or book online today.