Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It OccursEarly StagesSigns of WorseningRisks If UntreatedTreatmentAt-Home MonitoringSeeking Medical CareSurgeryLong-Term Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Occurs
Early Stages
Signs of Worsening
Risks If Untreated
Treatment
At-Home Monitoring
Seeking Medical Care
Surgery
Long-Term Care
Diabetic foot, a condition of foot problems linked todiabetes mellitus, is common among people with diabetes. These problems can occur in one or both feet due totype 1ortype 2diabetes.
Symptoms associated with diabetic foot can occur over time. They can be linked to nerve damage or blood flow problems common with this disease.
Diabetic foot problems can affect your skin or the structure of your foot.Foot ulcers(open sores),infections, and changes in the shape of your foot can develop.
This article describes the causes and signs of diabetic foot problems, the need for treatment, and ways to support foot health. It also details types of treatments and how to support proper healing.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoA diabetic ulcer on a foot at a pressure site.Reproduced with permission from ©DermNetwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNetwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Why Does Diabetes Cause Foot Problems?
Insulinis a hormone produced in thepancreasthat controls sugar, orglucose, levels in the bloodstream. In diabetes, either the body can’t makeinsulin, which is the case in type 1 diabetes, or the body can’t respond to insulin properly, which occurs in type 2. Insufficient amounts of insulin can allow glucose to build up in the blood and remain at unsafe levels.
Over time,too much blood sugarcan damage your nerves, which results inperipheral neuropathy(nerve damage in your feet). It can also causeperipheral artery disease (PAD)(poor blood circulation to your feet and leg), affecting the lining of your blood vessels. Peripheral neuropathy occurs in about 33% to 50% of people with diabetes.
Diabetic Foot
Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include numbness, tingling, and a loss of feeling in your feet. As a result, you likely wouldn’t realize you had an ulcer (open sore), cut, or another type of wound on your foot until it becomes severe.
Can Foot Pain Be a Symptom of Diabetes?
Early Stages of Diabetic Foot
The early stages of diabetic foot problems often go unnoticed since they are not specific to diabetic foot. Learning how to identify these changes can help you prevent serious complications.
Visit your healthcare provider if you develop any of the following problems that could indicate early stages of diabetic foot problems or diabetic toes:
Diabetes Pain That Spreads to Your LegWhileleg painis not a common symptom of diabetes, it can occur as a result of peripheral neuropathy due to uncontrolled diabetes. Having neuropathy that involves your legs typically leads to the following symptoms:Pain that starts in your toes and gradually spreads toward your kneesPain when you walkChanges in the way you walkLoss of balance causing more falls
Diabetes Pain That Spreads to Your Leg
Whileleg painis not a common symptom of diabetes, it can occur as a result of peripheral neuropathy due to uncontrolled diabetes. Having neuropathy that involves your legs typically leads to the following symptoms:Pain that starts in your toes and gradually spreads toward your kneesPain when you walkChanges in the way you walkLoss of balance causing more falls
Whileleg painis not a common symptom of diabetes, it can occur as a result of peripheral neuropathy due to uncontrolled diabetes. Having neuropathy that involves your legs typically leads to the following symptoms:
Signs Diabetic Foot Is Progressing
Diabetic foot problems progress at different rates depending on your condition. However, diabetic foot ulcers typically progress so that the wound worsens until it eventually involves your entire foot. The traits of the wound at a given time are used to classify the wound.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoA foot with a grade 1 diabetic ulcer.Reproduced with permission from ©DermNetwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
There are several classification systems for diabetic wounds. Wagner’s classification system is widely accepted for the proper diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot wounds.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoA foot with a grade 2 diabetic ulcer.Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet and ©Dr. Richard Ashtonwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet and ©Dr. Richard Ashtonwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Wager’s classification system of diabetic foot wounds includes the following levels of wound severity:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoA foot with a diabetic ulcer grade 3.Reproduced with permission from ©DermNetwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Risks of Untreated Diabetes Foot Problems
The risks of untreated diabetes foot problems can include the following complications:
Shoes and Accessories to Support Diabetic Feet
Compression Socks for Diabetes Foot
At-Home Monitoring and Foot Care
At-home monitoring and foot care can help you catch symptoms of diabetic foot early. This can facilitate faster treatment and reduce your risk ofamputationdue to complications.
Controlling your blood sugar levels so they remain in your target range is the best way to protect your feet from nerve and blood vessel damage. Taking the following steps to ensure foot care can also help keep your feet healthy:
How a Provider Treats Diabetic Foot
The way your provider treats a diabetic foot depends on the location and extent of damage present as well as other factors such as your overall health and underlying conditions. While there is no cure for diabetic foot, treatment can slow its progression and manage complications before they become serious.
With early diagnosis, your provider may be able to treat your diabetic foot with one of the following nonsurgical treatments:
When Would Someone Need Surgery?
You may need surgery for a diabetic foot when evidence of a nonhealing, deep, infected wound or gangrene is present.Without prompt treatment, gangrene can lead tosepsis(a blood infection), resulting in the loss of the affected body part. As gangrene spreads, it can become life-threatening.
The type of surgery you’ll need depends on whether the treatment is used to treat a foot wound, correct the underlying cause for the foot wound, or correct the foot to improve the chances of healing.
When surgery is necessary, your provider may recommend one of the following procedures to treat a diabetic foot:
Road to Healing: Ongoing Foot Maintenance With Diabetes
After treatment, your rate of healing will depend on the type of treatment you receive. Healing times depend on various factors like wound size, location, pressure being exerted on the wound, blood glucose levels, wound care, and wound dressing. Wound healing can take from weeks to several months.
The following strategies are key to healing and maintaining foot health with diabetes:
Summary
Diabetic foot problems are among the most common complications of this disease. They often involve open sores called ulcers that form when you get a minor cut or scrape that goes without treatment. These wounds can also occur when excess pressure is placed on one part of your foot and a blister forms.
Diabetic foot often occurs over time due to nerve damage or problems with blood flow to your feet. These issues can prevent sores from healing, leading to the loss of tissue and bone. In severe cases, the problem can result in losing your toe or foot.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Diabetic foot.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes & foot problems.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic neuropathy.MedlinePlus.Peripheral neuropathy.Ohio State University.Don’t miss early signs of diabetic foot.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Your feet and diabetes.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.Shah P, Inturi R, Anne D, et al.Wagner’s classification as a tool for treating diabetic foot ulcers: our observations at a suburban teaching hospital.Cureus. 14(1):e21501. doi:10.7759/cureus.21501American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.Diabetes complications and amputation prevention.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).Care of the diabetic foot.NYU Langone Health.Nonsurgical treatment for diabetic foot ulcers.OSF Healthcare.What you need to know about diabetic socks.Miller EB and Landau Z.Non-surgical management of diabetic foot ulcers.Foot Ankle Stud. 2018;2(2):1014.Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery.The diabetic foot.UTSouthwestern Medical Center.What types of surgeries can help with diabetic ulcers?NYU Langone Health.Surgery for diabetic foot ulcers.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Diabetic foot.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes & foot problems.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic neuropathy.MedlinePlus.Peripheral neuropathy.Ohio State University.Don’t miss early signs of diabetic foot.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Your feet and diabetes.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.Shah P, Inturi R, Anne D, et al.Wagner’s classification as a tool for treating diabetic foot ulcers: our observations at a suburban teaching hospital.Cureus. 14(1):e21501. doi:10.7759/cureus.21501American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.Diabetes complications and amputation prevention.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).Care of the diabetic foot.NYU Langone Health.Nonsurgical treatment for diabetic foot ulcers.OSF Healthcare.What you need to know about diabetic socks.Miller EB and Landau Z.Non-surgical management of diabetic foot ulcers.Foot Ankle Stud. 2018;2(2):1014.Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery.The diabetic foot.UTSouthwestern Medical Center.What types of surgeries can help with diabetic ulcers?NYU Langone Health.Surgery for diabetic foot ulcers.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Diabetic foot.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes & foot problems.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic neuropathy.MedlinePlus.Peripheral neuropathy.Ohio State University.Don’t miss early signs of diabetic foot.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Your feet and diabetes.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.Shah P, Inturi R, Anne D, et al.Wagner’s classification as a tool for treating diabetic foot ulcers: our observations at a suburban teaching hospital.Cureus. 14(1):e21501. doi:10.7759/cureus.21501American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.Diabetes complications and amputation prevention.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).Care of the diabetic foot.NYU Langone Health.Nonsurgical treatment for diabetic foot ulcers.OSF Healthcare.What you need to know about diabetic socks.Miller EB and Landau Z.Non-surgical management of diabetic foot ulcers.Foot Ankle Stud. 2018;2(2):1014.Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery.The diabetic foot.UTSouthwestern Medical Center.What types of surgeries can help with diabetic ulcers?NYU Langone Health.Surgery for diabetic foot ulcers.
MedlinePlus.Diabetic foot.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes & foot problems.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic neuropathy.
MedlinePlus.Peripheral neuropathy.
Ohio State University.Don’t miss early signs of diabetic foot.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Your feet and diabetes.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.
Shah P, Inturi R, Anne D, et al.Wagner’s classification as a tool for treating diabetic foot ulcers: our observations at a suburban teaching hospital.Cureus. 14(1):e21501. doi:10.7759/cureus.21501
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.Diabetes complications and amputation prevention.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).Care of the diabetic foot.
NYU Langone Health.Nonsurgical treatment for diabetic foot ulcers.
OSF Healthcare.What you need to know about diabetic socks.
Miller EB and Landau Z.Non-surgical management of diabetic foot ulcers.Foot Ankle Stud. 2018;2(2):1014.
Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery.The diabetic foot.
UTSouthwestern Medical Center.What types of surgeries can help with diabetic ulcers?
NYU Langone Health.Surgery for diabetic foot ulcers.
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