Diabetic Foot Care Specialist
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Cedars Foot and Ankle Center
Podiatrists & Foot and Ankle Surgeons located in Tarzana, CA & Inglewood, CA
If you’re among the 10.5% of Americans with diabetes, diabetic foot care at Cedars Foot and Ankle Center provides the comprehensive, personalized solutions you need to stay healthy. Experienced podiatrist Ashkan Soleymani, DPM, offers everything you need, from preventive strategies to advanced wound care, in the Inglewood and Tarzana, California, offices. Book your appointment online or call the offices nearest to you for diabetic foot care help today.
Diabetic Foot Care Q & A
How can diabetes cause problems with my feet?
If you have diabetes, unregulated blood sugar levels can lead to irritation, inflammation, and damage within your blood vessels and nerves. The leading foot problems with diabetes are:
Nerve damage
Nerve damage, or peripheral neuropathy, can affect your ability to feel pain and other sensations. Consequently, you might not detect blisters, cuts, and other wounds until they're quite serious.
Blood vessel damage
Blood vessels supply your feet with oxygen and nutrients via your blood, so you need healthy blood vessels to heal and maintain normal foot function. In diabetes, it's common to have blood vessel narrowing and reduced circulation.
With the combination of nerve and blood vessel problems, a tiny cut could quickly become a large one. In addition, untreated wounds are vulnerable to infection, and with diabetes, you have a weakened immune system that doesn’t fight infection well.
Ultimately, this can lead to nonhealing wounds, ulcers, and tissue death (gangrene), all of which could lead to amputation if not treated promptly.
Nerve and blood vessel damage can also increase the risk of bunions, hammertoes, corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, and toenail fungus.
What is diabetic foot care?
Diabetic foot care is podiatric care tailored for your needs as a person with diabetes. This includes regular foot health checkups as well as maintenance like toenail trims and corn and callus treatment.
In addition, Dr. Soleymani offers innovative solutions for complications, such as:
Wound care
Diabetic wound care is one of the most significant aspects of diabetic foot care. Dr. Soleymani uses techniques such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, vacuum-assisted wound closure, and the MIST Therapy System for ultrasound healing to maximize your body's healing powers. He can also remove dead tissue to encourage the healing process (debridement).
Neuropathy treatment
Peripheral neuropathy can cause foot numbness as well as tingling and weakness. At Cedars Foot and Ankle Center, Dr. Soleymani uses MicroVas treatment for neuropathy. In this treatment, ionic impulses increase your lower extremity blood flow, which in turn stimulates symptom relief and improved healing.
MicroVas can also help with several other conditions, including foot pain related to plantar fasciitis, sprains, and even fracture healing.
How frequently do I need diabetic foot care?
Schedule regular checkups at Cedars Foot and Ankle Center at least twice a year; they can treat all diabetic foot care issues. If you have new issues, like blisters, cuts, punctures, calluses, corns, or any other foot problem, see Dr. Soleymani for acute care right away.
Dr. Soleymani also educates you about good diabetic foot care at home, including preventive tactics. He may prescribe orthotics, special diabetic shoes, and other methods of preserving your foot health.
Book your appointment by calling Cedars Foot and Ankle Center or schedule online today.