Wound Care Specialist

Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle Our Services Wound Care

Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle

Foot and Ankle Specialists & Podiatrists located in Mission Viejo, CA

Approximately 1.2 million men and women with diabetes develop painful ulcers on their feet every year, significantly increasing their risk of amputation and hospitalization. Podiatrist Thomas Rambacher, DPM offers specialized foot care services for people with diabetes -- such as wound care and amputation prevention -- at Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle. Protect your health and take care of your feet by calling the office in Mission Viejo, California or scheduling an appointment online.

Wound Care

What is a diabetic foot ulcer?

Diabetic foot ulcers are open sores or wounds on the bottom of your feet, often under your big toes or the balls of your feet. When left untreated, these ulcers can lead to serious health complications including amputation.

Of the 15% of people with diabetes who develop foot ulcers, as many as 24% end up having an amputation. But thankfully, with proper foot care, diabetic foot ulcers are preventable.

Who is at risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers?

Foot ulcers can occur in anyone who has diabetes, but several factors increase your risks, including:

  • Insulin use
  • Poor foot hygiene
  • Being overweight
  • Poorly-fitting shoes
  • Alcohol or tobacco use
  • Improper toenail trimming
  • Diabetes-related heart, kidney, or eye disease

Diabetic foot ulcers are also more common in older men, Native Americans, African Americans, and people of Hispanic heritage.

What causes diabetic wounds?

Diabetic foot ulcers develop for several reasons, primarily because of reduced sensations in the feet due to nerve damage and poor circulation.

Nerve damage, also called neuropathy, is a common complication of diabetes. After years of elevated blood sugar levels, nerve damage can reduce or eliminate any feeling in the feet. Without this sensitivity, problems with your feet can arise without you noticing them.

Besides neuropathy, poor circulation further complicates foot problems. When there’s reduced blood flow to your extremities, it decreases your body’s ability to heal and increases your risk of infection.

Other causes of diabetic foot wounds include:

  • Trauma
  • Foot deformities
  • Irritation, such friction or pressure from shoes

Over time, even the smallest issue can grow into a severe foot ulcer, so it’s vital to seek wound care immediately.

How are diabetic foot ulcers treated?

The goal of diabetic wound care management is to heal the site as quickly as possible and reduce the risk of infection. Dr. Rambacher is a Fellow of the American Professional Wound Care Association® and has advanced training in this area of foot care. He offers specialized treatments, including:

  • Applying medication or dressings
  • Graft or skin substitute treatments
  • Debridement to remove dead tissue and skin

Dr. Rambacher also uses braces or orthotics to reduce pressure in the wound area while it heals and to prevent recurrence. In some cases, he treats diabetic foot ulcers using surgical skin grafting.

To learn more about wound care and amputation prevention, call Podiatry Hotline Inc., or schedule an appointment online.