Diabetic Foot Care

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s vital to enroll in diabetic foot care. At his practice in the Randall Manor neighborhood of Staten Island, New York, Aluko O. Jervis, DPM, has more than 15 years of experience providing diabetic foot care to people of all ages. Dr. Jervis’ knowledge of advanced care techniques ensures positive treatment outcomes and improved blood sugar levels. Call the New York City area office to request diabetic foot care today, or book an appointment online.

What is diabetic foot care?

Diabetic foot care is a branch of podiatry focused on treating and preventing diabetes-related foot issues, including poor circulation, nerve damage (neuropathy), and diabetic ulcers (slow-healing wounds). 

If you have diabetes, it’s crucial you visit Dr. Jervis at least once annually, even if your feet and toes look healthy. Routine checkups can alert you to underlying issues and improve your quality of life. 

When should I schedule diabetic foot care?

Contact Dr. Jervis for diabetic foot care if you have diabetes and experience any of the following symptoms:

• Skin discoloration 
• Diminished ability to sense hot or cold
• Loss of hair on the lower extremities
• Numbness
• Pain
• Tingling
• Blisters, corns, or calluses

You should seek treatment if you have diabetic ulcers, too. Without treatment, these slow-healing wounds may increase your risk of infection and gangrene.

What happens during a diabetic foot care appointment?

Dr. Jervis tailors diabetic foot care to each patient’s needs.

First, he reviews your health charts and asks about your diabetes, including what type you have, when you were first diagnosed, and how well you manage your blood sugar levels. Next, Dr. Jervis completes an exam. He checks your lower legs, ankles, feet, and toes for swelling, redness, or slow-healing wounds. 

Then, Dr. Jervis touches your toes and the bottoms of your feet with special tools, assessing your nerve and muscle responses. If you have a diabetic ulcer or another open wound, Dr. Jervis collects a biopsy sample and sends it to a lab for testing. Last, he orders X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to see if the infection extends to your bone or surrounding tissues.

How are diabetic ulcers treated?

Dr. Jervis offers holistic and minimally invasive treatments for diabetic ulcers. He might recommend:

• Cleaning the wound
• Draining fluid or pus from the ulcer
• Wound debridement (removing dead or dying skin)
• Applying special bandages or ointments to absorb excess fluid
• Prescribing a wheelchair or crutches to take pressure off your foot
• Prescribing antibiotics to eliminate the infection
• Synthetic skin substitutes

You might even benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy exposes your skin to pure oxygen in a controlled environment, encouraging your body’s natural healing process. 

Call Aluko O. Jervis, DPM, to learn more about the benefits of diabetic foot care today, or book an appointment online.