The statistics surrounding diabetic foot ulcers are alarming. Currently, over 2 million people in the U.S. have foot ulcers and up to 25% of all adults living with diabetes will experience a foot ulcer at some point. Non-healing diabetic foot ulcers account for 85% of diabetes-related amputations.
A diabetic foot ulcer is a wound that occurs on the feet, heels or toes of people living with diabetes. Many times, there is little to no feeling in their feet or the wound itself due to diabetes-related nerve damage. A pulse is present and the skin is normal or warm to the touch. The skin on the legs and feet may be dry and flaky.
If left untreated, the ulcer grows larger and deeper due to diabetes-related blood vessel damage. When oxygen-rich blood does not reach the wound because of poor circulation, the wound does not heal. This can lead to infection, hospitalization and amputation.
Avoid getting your feet too hot or too cold:
Healogics helps patients with diabetic foot ulcers and other chronic wounds heal faster. Our highly specialized care includes therapies that aid wound closure, new tissue growth and wound tissue regeneration. These therapies include total contact casting (TCC), negative pressure wound therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
Over the past 20 years, Healogics has helped to heal more than four million wounds. We have partnerships with academic and research-based scientists to consult and analyze, driving collaboration to provide better outcomes for our patients.
Learn more about diabetic foot ulcers and other common foot wounds at our 2021 The Year of Healing webpage or download our free patient resource, Diabetes and Wound Healing.