Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetic Complications & Amputation Prevention

People living with diabetes are prone to having foot problems, often because of two complications of diabetes: nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation. Neuropathy causes loss of feeling in your feet, taking away your ability to feel pain and discomfort, so you may not detect an injury or irritation. Poor circulation in your feet reduces your ability to heal, making it hard for even a tiny cut to resist infection.


Having diabetes increases the risk of developing a wide range of foot problems. Furthermore, with diabetes, small foot problems can turn into serious complications.

Diabetes-related Foot & Leg Problems

  • Infections and ulcers (sores) that do not heal

    An ulcer is a sore in the skin that may go all the way to the bone. Because of poor circulation and neuropathy in the feet, cuts or blisters can easily turn into ulcers that become infected and will not heal. This is a common—and serious—complication of diabetes and can lead to a loss of your foot, your leg or your life.

  • Corns and calluses

    When neuropathy is present, you cannot tell if your shoes are causing pressure and producing corns or calluses. Corns and calluses must be properly treated or they can develop into ulcers.

  • Dry, cracked skin

    Poor circulation and neuropathy can make your skin dry. This may seem harmless, but dry skin can result in cracks that may become sores and can lead to infection.

  • Nail disorders

    Ingrown toenails (which curve into the skin on the sides of the nail) and fungal infections can go unnoticed because of loss of feeling. If they are not properly treated, they can lead to infection.

  • Hammertoes and bunions

     Nerve damage affecting muscles can cause muscle weakness and loss of tone in the feet, resulting in hammertoes and bunions. If left untreated, these deformities can cause ulcers.

  • Charcot foot

    This is a complex foot deformity. It develops as a result of loss of sensation and an undetected broken bone that leads to destruction of the soft tissue of the foot. Because of neuropathy, the pain of the fracture goes unnoticed and the patient continues to walk on the broken bone, making it worse. This disabling complication is so severe that surgery, and occasionally amputation, may become necessary.

  • Poor blood flow

    In diabetes, the blood vessels below the knee often become narrow and restrict blood flow. This prevents wounds from healing and may cause tissue death.

What Your Foot & Ankle Surgeon Can Do

Your foot and ankle surgeon can help wounds heal, preventing amputation. Many new surgical techniques are available to save feet and legs, including joint reconstruction and wound healing technologies. Getting regular foot checkups and seeking immediate help when you notice something can keep small problems from worsening. Your foot and ankle surgeon works together with other healthcare providers to prevent and treat complications from diabetes.

Proactive Measures to Take

Diabetes can be dangerous to your feet—even a small cut can produce serious consequences. Diabetes may cause nerve damage that takes away the feeling in your feet. Diabetes may also reduce blood flow to the feet, making it harder to heal an injury or resist infection. Because of these problems, you may not notice a foreign object in your shoe. As a result, you could develop a blister or a sore. This could lead to an infection or a non-healing wound that could put you at risk for an amputation.


To avoid serious foot problems that could result in losing a toe, foot or leg, follow these guidelines.

  • Inspect your feet daily

    Check for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling or nail problems. Use a magnifying hand mirror to look at the bottom of your feet. Call your doctor if you notice anything.

  • Bathe feet in lukewarm, never hot, water

    Keep your feet clean by washing them daily. Use only lukewarm water—the temperature you would use on a newborn baby.

  • Be gentle when bathing your feet

    Wash them using a soft washcloth or sponge. Dry by blotting or patting and carefully dry between the toes.

  • Moisturize your feet but not between your toes

    Use a moisturizer daily to keep dry skin from itching or cracking. But don't moisturize between the toes—that could encourage a fungal infection.

  • Cut nails carefully

    Cut them straight across and file the edges. Don’t cut nails too short, as this could lead to ingrown toenails. If you have concerns about your nails, consult your doctor.

  • Never treat corns or calluses yourself

    No “bathroom surgery” or medicated pads. Visit your doctor for appropriate treatment.

  • Wear clean, dry socks

    Change them daily.

  • Consider socks made specifically for patients living with diabetes

    These socks have extra cushioning, do not have elastic tops, are higher than the ankle and are made from fibers that wick moisture away from the skin.

  • Wear socks to bed

    If your feet get cold at night, wear socks. Never use a heating pad or a hot water bottle.

  • Shake out your shoes and feel the inside before wearing

    Remember, your feet may not be able to feel a pebble or other foreign object, so always inspect your shoes before putting them on.

  • Keep your feet warm and dry

    Don’t let your feet get wet in snow or rain. Wear warm socks and shoes in winter.

  • Consider using an antiperspirant on the soles of your feet

    This is helpful if you have excessive sweating of the feet.

  • Never walk barefoot

    Not even at home! Always wear shoes or slippers. You could step on something and get a scratch or cut.

  • Take care of your diabetes

    Keep your blood sugar levels under control.

  • Do not smoke

    Smoking restricts blood flow in your feet.

  • Get periodic foot exams

    Seeing your foot and ankle surgeon on a regular basis can help prevent the foot complications of diabetes.