Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Alternate Names : Diabetic Foot Wound, Diabetic Neuropathic Ulceration, Mal Perforant Ulcer, Diabetic Dermal Ulcer, Diabetic Dermal Wound
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound on the foot of a person with
diabetes. Because of loss of pain sensation, it is usually not
painful.
What is going on in the body?
A person with diabetes often has peripheral
vascular disease, or decreased circulation to the legs and feet. Any
damage to the feet may heal slowly because of the poor circulation. The person
may also have diabetic neuropathy,
a
condition in which nerve damage from diabetes causes decreased sensation in the
legs and feet. The person can develop an open area from pressure or from a cut
and not even feel the sore. Untreated, the damaged area can develop a diabetic
foot ulcer.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
A diabetic foot ulcer is caused by direct damage to the skin, such as a cut, or
by pressure, such as that from poorly fitting shoes. The following factors increase a
person's chance of developing a foot ulcer:
diabetic neuropathy, with
damage
to the nerves supplying the feet
peripheral vascular disease,
with
decreased blood flow to the feet
a history of 10 years or more of
diabetes
smoking
male gender
blood sugar levels that are
not
under control
diabetic retinopathy, or damage to
the retina of the eye from diabetes
cardiovascular problems caused by
diabetes
kidney problems caused by diabetes, including chronic renal failure
a history of skin ulcers or
amputation of
a limb
conditions caused by increased pressure on the feet, such as corns and
calluses
foot bones that are deformed or have limited movement, such as bunions
thick toenails
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