Foot ulcers increase your risk of more serious health problems, like infection and gangrene. At Gateway Foot and Ankle Center, with locations in Clarksville, Nashville, and Erin, Tennessee, and Hopkinsville, Kentucky, the team of board-certified podiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treating foot ulcers. Using professional wound care, healthy lifestyle changes, and prescription medication, they can improve your quality of life and help you feel better. To receive treatment for foot ulcers today, call the nearest office or book online.
Foot ulcers are open wounds that don’t heal. Most foot and toe ulcers occur because of untreated diabetes, but they may also develop as a result of poor circulation or peripheral artery disease (PAD).
If you have an open wound on your foot or ankle and it doesn’t improve with at-home treatments, contact the team at Gateway Foot and Ankle Center immediately.
Symptoms of foot ulcers include:
If your ulcer is infected, it might also ooze blood or pus.
To diagnose a foot ulcer, your Gateway Foot and Ankle Center provider reviews your health records and asks about your symptoms, including when you noticed the ulcer, if it's grown since, and if it’s sensitive or painful to touch.
Next, your provider completes a physical exam. They assess the size, location, and appearance of the ulcer, check its borders, and examine your surrounding skin. They also order X-rays or a CT scan to see how far the wound extends beneath your skin.
Treatment of foot ulcers depends on various things, including your age, the size and location of the wounds, and if they’re infected. The team at Gateway Foot and Ankle Center typically recommends conservative and noninvasive treatments that relieve pain, reduce the risk of infection, and improve your mobility. They might suggest:
If these treatments don’t provide lasting relief, or your symptoms worsen, the team might recommend surgery. There are several procedures that can repair open wounds, including reconstructive surgery and skin grafts.
There’s no way to prevent foot ulcers entirely, but there are things you can do to significantly reduce your risk. The team at Gateway Foot and Ankle Center recommends exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and keeping your blood sugar levels within the recommended range.
To receive treatment for foot ulcers today, call the nearest Gateway Foot and Ankle Center office or book online.