Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment in Brooklyn, NY and Bronx, NY

A diabetic foot ulcer can occur because you haven’t been monitoring your blood sugar levels properly or because you’ve been wearing the wrong shoes for the activity, based on your condition. When you seek diabetic foot ulcer treatment from Dr. George Bolotin at Astra Vein & Fibroid Treatment Center in Brooklyn, you find the root cause of the ulcer, get the most effective treatment and learn how to prevent the painful condition going forward. Call Dr. Bolotin at the first signs of an ulcer to avoid further complications.

What Is a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

A diabetic foot ulcer is a serious complication of diabetes that affects your feet. It shows up as a wound on the lower part of your foot and poses the threat of infection. It can cause infections severe enough to require surgical removal of tissue. This type of foot ulcer shows up in 12 to 25 percent of diabetic individuals at some point in their lives.

It’s further classified as:

• Grade 0. Intact skin, but bony deformities put your foot at risk of an ulcer
• Grade 1. A superficial ulcer
• Grade 2. Deeper, full-thickness extension
• Grade 3. Deep abscess formation or osteomyelitis
• Grade 4. Partial gangrene of the forefoot
• Grade 5. Extensive gangrene

An ulcer often begins as a small wound that doesn’t heal due to nerve damage, which is a Grade 1 ulcer. This grading system determines the severity of your ulcer, allowing your wound care specialist to choose the right diabetic foot ulcer treatment approach. The system also allows your doctor to predict healing time and amputation risk.

With proper care and prevention from the experts at Astra Vein & Fibroid Treatment Center, you can protect your feet and reduce your risk of ulcers.

At this vein center in Brooklyn, Dr. George Bolotin and his talented team of specialists treat a wide range of conditions that are affected by diabetes, including:

• Leg pain
• Venous stasis ulcers
• Circulation problems
• Hemorrhoids
• Arthritis
• Skin ulcers

What Are the Symptoms of a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

The biggest challenge is that you may not feel any pain early, especially if you have nerve damage. Swelling may point to inflammation or an underlying infection even if there’s no visible injury. If you notice areas of your foot turning red, bluish or darker than usual, it could be a sign of a developing ulcer.

Other symptoms include:

• Blisters or cracks. Even small blisters or dry patches can turn into ulcers if left untreated.
• Drainage or pus. Fluid or stains on your socks may be from a hidden open sore.
• Foul odor. A bad smell from your foot can be a sign of infection or tissue damage.

You may also notice less obvious symptoms like numbness or tingling, which prevent you from feeling pressure, heat or pain. A warm spot on your foot may signal an early infection or inflammation. In more advanced cases, black tissue called eschar may appear, which indicates dead tissue that needs urgent attention. Some people also experience pain, burning or aching, especially in the early stages of an ulcer.

How Can Diabetic Foot Ulcers Be Prevented?

The best way to prevent an ulcer is to wash your feet every day with warm water and mild soap. After washing, dry your feet gently between the toes. Avoid soaking your feet, which can dry out your skin. Use lotion on the tops and bottoms of your feet.

Choose footwear designed to prevent pressure and friction, such as:

• Shoes that fit well and don’t cause rubbing or pressure
• Not sandals, flip-flops or going barefoot, even indoors
• Diabetic shoes or custom orthotics if recommended by your doctor

Check the inside of your shoes for pebbles or rough spots before putting them on. Poor blood sugar control can slow healing and raise the risk of infections and ulcers. To prevent complications and maintain overall foot health, ensure you regularly monitor your blood glucose levels, take your medications as prescribed, stay active and stick to a healthy eating plan.

What Are Effective Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatments?

Your vascular specialist in Brooklyn, NY tailors your treatment plan based on your specific medical condition and the underlying cause of your ulcer. If the root cause isn’t addressed, your ulcer is likely to return after treatment. Non-surgical treatments may be effective if you have early-stage diabetic foot ulcers. These treatments manage the ulcer, reduce infection risks and promote healing.

They include:

• Antibiotics if there’s an infection
• Blood thinners to improve circulation
• Compression socks to reduce swelling
• Draining to remove fluid buildup
• Orthotics or prosthetics for foot support and pressure relief
• Off-loading with casts, special shoes or crutches to avoid pressure
• Foot elevation to improve blood flow and healing

If your ulcer is more advanced, infected or not responding to non-surgical treatments, your doctor may recommend surgical options. These include debridement that removes dead or infected tissue and hammertoe repair to correct deformities that add pressure. Procedures like plantar exostectomy remove parts of your sole, while Achilles tendon lengthening relieves pressure from tight tendons.

Other surgical options include:

• Metatarsal osteotomies, which realigns toe bones to reduce pressure
• Bone removal, to relieve pressure by shaving or removing the bone
• Tenotomy, which removes scar tissue to aid healing
• Skin grafts, to cover and heal deep or stubborn ulcers

How Long Does Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment Take?

The treatment duration for diabetic foot ulcers differs considerably, depending on factors like the severity of your ulcer, your overall health status and other existing infections. Some ulcers heal within weeks with proper care, while more severe cases can take months. Timely detection and continuous care speed up recovery and prevent long-term issues.

Factors that affect healing time include:

• Ulcer size and depth
• Poor glucose control
• Reduced blood flow
• Continued pressure on the ulcer

Diabetic foot ulcer treatment takes time and patience, but with the right care at Astra Vein & Fibroid Treatment Center, you receive treatment backed by advanced medical resources and a team that puts your health first. When you’re dealing with a diabetic foot ulcer, contact Astra Vein & Fibroid Treatment Center in Brooklyn to heal safely and comfortably.