Hello and welcome to the NEWCare Learning Center. Here you’ll find short, educational pearls about wound and ostomy care written by Dr. Waien and our NEWCare team. Today’s question is “what are diabetic foot ulcers?”
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open wound that occurs on the foot of a person who has underlying diabetes. The wounds usually occur on the plantar surface, bottom of the foot, or along pressure points, such as the heel or the base of the toes.
Did you know that diabetic foot ulcers are one of the most common causes of wounds? In the US roughly 34 million people have a diagnosis of diabetes and of those about 2 million are estimated to have an active diabetic foot ulcer at any given time. It’s important to educate yourself about the common causes and factors leading to diabetic foot ulcers. Research shows 50% of these wounds become infected, and in severe cases, approximately 20% may progress to the development of severe disease that may require amputation of the toe or even perhaps the foot.
In our next blog post, we will discuss some of the common causes and the underlying pathophysiology of diabetic foot ulcers.
Do you need care? Do you need care for a diabetic foot ulcer in Greater Springfield or Western Massachusetts? We have 5 convenient office locations. Please reach out to us at New England Wound Care today. Our number is 413-475-3233 or you can visit us online: https://newenglandwoundcare.com/contact-us/.
At New England Wound Care, or NEWCare, our specialized team has over 30 years of experience providing comprehensive wound & ostomy care throughout Western Massachusetts and Greater Springfield. Our offices are located in Westfield, East Hampton, Florence, Amherst, and Greenfield. Click “here” to schedule an appointment with us today.
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