Diabetic Podiatry
Foot problems are common in people with diabetes. They can happen over time when high blood sugar damages the nerves and blood vessels in the feet. The nerve damage, called diabetic neuropathy, can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or a loss of feeling in your feet, which may make cuts, blisters, or ulcers on your foot go unnoticed and become infected.
Our foot and ankle specialists see their diabetic patients every 10 weeks for routine care (nail trimming, callus trims, ulcer inspections, skin care, education), and perform full annual diabetic examinations.
Muscles
Bones
Joints
Ligaments
Diabetic Podiatry Issues We Treat
Custom Diabetic Shoes
Diabetic shoes decrease the risk of diabetic foot ulcers, thus reducing the risk of amputations. Properly fitted diabetic shoes offer support and protection that minimize the impact on high-pressure areas of the foot. Our team performs the examination in the office and then sends the findings to a local bracing company to have the diabetic shoes custom made.
Most insurances cover patients to have custom diabetic shoes with inserts made annually.
Vascular Assessments
In foot care, vascular testing may be required in the diagnosing and treatment of certain podiatric conditions. Our team checks diabetic patients’ by performing in-office vascular assessments to look at the circulation to their lower extremities.
Associated Foot & Ankle Specialists has partnered with trusted vascular surgeons to refer its diabetic patients if a concern arises with their vascular status as well as specialized vascular wound care physicians for more specialized treatments.
Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU)
Our podiatrists perform wound care for diabetic patients with foot ulcers (DFUs). Diabetic wounds can be managed both conservatively and surgically depending on the case. Our team is well trained in the proper protocol for workup of diabetic foot infections including imaging (X-rays, MRI), in-office wound cultures, bloodwork/labs, in-office drainage of abscesses depending on the severity, and surgical intervention if needed whether it’s emergent, urgent or can be delayed.
Associated Foot & Ankles Specialists offers post-operative shoes and CAM walker boots that increase foot support and user mobility. We carry PegAssist™ Offloading Insoles for purchase, which allow for faster healing by offloading pressure.
Our team performs amniotic grafts or different types of skin or wound allografts in the office or in an operating room setting, which can quicken wound healing. Also, our team works diligently with various companies to find the best wound care product for the patient’s insurance, wound type, or underlying health conditions.
Overall nutrition also is a key focus, which can benefit wound healing as well as control hyperglycemia due to diabetes.
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Common Foot Issues, Causes & Treatments
Foot and ankle problems can play a huge role in your daily life, and Podiatrists Drs. Sarah Cullen and Drennan Josey know all about the issues that can affect the feet.
Request An Appointment
Call The Office
(843) 852-9444
Fax
(843) 852-9404
Office Location
2097 Henry Tecklenburg Dr. #210 West
Charleston, SC 29414