Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Diabetic foot ulcers are open sores that develop due to poor circulation and nerve damage. Without proper care, they can lead to serious infection and amputation.
Overview
Diabetes causes two problems that threaten the feet: peripheral neuropathy (loss of sensation) and peripheral arterial disease (poor blood flow). Together, they mean a small cut or blister can go unnoticed, become infected, and fail to heal — progressing to a chronic ulcer, gangrene, and potentially amputation.
Our multidisciplinary diabetic foot care team includes vascular surgeons, endocrinologists, and wound care specialists. Treatment involves debridement, infection control, offloading (special footwear), and revascularisation procedures like angioplasty or bypass to restore blood flow when needed.
Causes
- Peripheral neuropathy — loss of protective sensation
- Peripheral arterial disease — reduced blood flow impairs healing
- Foot deformities — bunions, hammer toes creating pressure points
- Ill-fitting footwear
- Poor glycaemic control
- Previous foot ulcer or amputation
Symptoms
- Open sore or wound on the foot that doesn't heal
- Drainage or pus from the wound
- Redness, swelling, and warmth around the ulcer
- Odour from the wound
- Black or dead tissue (gangrene)
- Pain — may be absent due to neuropathy, masking the severity
Diagnosis
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI) — compares blood pressure at ankle and arm to assess circulation
- Colour Doppler ultrasound — maps arterial blood flow
- X-ray — checks for bone infection (osteomyelitis)
- Wound culture — identifies the specific bacteria causing infection
- CT angiography — for surgical planning if revascularisation is needed
Treatment Options
Debridement and wound care
Removal of dead tissue, specialised dressings, and infection control. Weekly follow-up in a wound clinic.
Angioplasty or bypass surgery
Restoring blood flow to the foot when circulation is severely compromised.
Offloading
Special shoes, casts, or braces to remove pressure from the ulcer so it can heal.
Amputation
Last resort when the tissue is dead and cannot be saved — to prevent life-threatening sepsis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can diabetics prevent foot ulcers?
Daily foot inspection, proper footwear, good blood sugar control, regular podiatry visits, and never walking barefoot — even indoors.
When does a foot ulcer require immediate attention?
Redness spreading up the foot, fever, foul odour, or black tissue — seek immediate care. Hours can make the difference between saving and losing the foot.
Ready to Discuss Your Treatment?
Our diabetic foot ulcers specialists in Kondapur are here to help. Most consultations available within 24 hours.