Diabetic foot is one of the most frequent complications in patients with diabetes mellitus. This pathology can cause injuries and/or ulcerations with a high risk of foot loss. Vascular Surgery offers multiple revascularization treatments, either percutaneous or conventional.

Dr. Giafar Abuhadba, cardiovascular surgeon at our clinic, tells us about some preventive measures and care we should take into account:

Precautionary measures

• Rigorously control glucose levels.
• Avoid smoking.
• Check feet daily; wash them periodically with lukewarm water and dry them well. You can hydrate them, but avoid excess creams and irritating products.
• Take care of calluses and thick nails by cutting and filing them in a straight line.
• Avoid walking barefoot or wearing tight shoes, checking them to remove objects that can cause injuries.
• Change socks daily.
• Do not use electric blankets or heaters to avoid burns.

Care

• The treatment of injuries or ulcers should focus on relieving plantar pressure, through rest, the use of special insoles and avoiding supporting the foot.
• It is important to remove calluses and the tissue that may form around them, as it facilitates the appearance of wounds and subsequent infection.
• If the patient evidences vascular insufficiency, he/she should go to a specialist in Vascular Surgery and Angiology, who will perform a Doppler echo to rule out vascular compromise, and X-rays to detect a possible alteration in the bone.
• In case of infection, broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment may be recommended.
• Hospitalization will be indicated if the wound does not heal or there is a serious infection.

Dr. Giafar Abuhadba
Cardiovascular surgeon at Clinica Ricardo Palma