More than 37 million Americans have diabetes –– a chronic metabolic condition characterized by high blood glucose (sugar). If you’re one of them, it’s crucial you visit a foot specialist at least once a year. Routine checkups can keep your feet healthy and reduce the risk of potential complications. Dr. Robert Raley and his team provide diabetic foot and wound care to teenagers and adults. To make an appointment, call the office in Kankakee, Illinois, or book online today.
Diabetic foot and wound care is a podiatry subspecialty that treats and prevents diabetes-related conditions that affect the feet and ankles.
If your blood sugar levels remain high for a long time, it increases your risk of nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation. Both of these issues make you more susceptible to slow-healing wounds and diabetic ulcers.
By visiting Dr. Raley at least once a year, it’s possible to catch these and other conditions early on when they respond best to treatment.
If you have diabetes, you’re a candidate for diabetic foot and wound care. Even if you haven’t received an official diagnosis, make an appointment with Dr. Raley and the team if you experience any of the following symptoms:
After an in office exam, Dr. Raley can determine if you have diabetes and make treatment recommendations.
A diabetic foot and wound care visit begins with a review of your medical records and a discussion of your symptoms, including when they started and if they’re worse at certain times of the day.
Next, Dr. Raley examines your legs, feet, and toes, looking for discoloration, hair loss, or open wounds. He also presses on your heels and the bottoms of your feet to check for numbness, tingling, or sensitivity.
If you have an open wound and it looks infected, Dr. Raley takes a sample and sends it to a lab for analysis. He might also order digital X-rays or diagnostic ultrasound to determine if the infection extends to a bone or the surrounding soft tissue.
After gathering the necessary information, Dr. Raley develops a custom treatment plan that keeps your blood sugar levels in check, while reducing the risk of other foot-related issues.
If you have diabetes, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of complications. Dr. Raley and the team recommend:
By incorporating these practices into your routine, you can keep your feet healthy and significantly reduce the risk of issues like infection and gangrene.
To establish diabetic foot and wound care at the practice of Dr. Robert A. Raley, make an appointment by calling the office or booking online today.