Diabetic Wound

What is a diabetic wound?

A diabetic wound (ulcer) is an open, slow-healing wound that typically appears on the feet of people with diabetes. People with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes have up to a 25% chance of developing diabetic foot ulcers in their lifetime. Fortunately, early detection and treatment of diabetic wounds can prevent infections and the risk of amputation. 

What are the symptoms of a diabetic wound?

Diabetic wounds are often characterized by:

• Non-healing foot or leg wounds
• Slow-healing wounds
• Wounds that take weeks or months to heal
• Wounds that are red, brown, blue, purple, yellow, or mixed colors
• Wounds with liquid discharge
• Itchy or hardened skin
• Hard bumps on the skin
• Swelling
• Skin discoloration
• Wounds with a foul odor
• Shallow, irregularly shaped sores
• Dull aching
• Sores that ooze pus

Sometimes, the wounds are painless because of nerve damage linked to diabetes. 

What are the risk factors for diabetic wounds?

Diabetic wounds typically result because of poorly managed diabetes. Additional risk factors include lack of exercise, poor nutritional habits, obesity, and not taking diabetes medications as directed. Nerve damage caused by diabetes increases the likelihood of developing wounds, particularly those you’re not immediately aware of. 

How does my provider diagnose a diabetic wound?

Diagnosing a diabetic wound and its underlying cause involves a discussion about your symptoms and medical history, a vital signs check, and a medical exam. Your specialist examines your feet and legs and may order a biopsy or imaging procedures.

How are diabetic wounds treated?

Treating diabetic wounds at Texas Cardiac and Vascular Specialists typically consists of one or more of the following:

• Healthy lifestyle changes
• Oral medications
• Topical medications
• Skin grafting
• Debridement (removing dead tissues)
• Offloading (taking pressure off your feet)
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy 
• Wet dressings
• Dry dressings
• Specialized shoes
• Specialist referrals

If you need care from another specialist to better manage diabetes or because of a severe infection requiring amputation, the Texas Cardiac and Vascular Specialists team can provide referrals. 

Adopt healthy habits to enhance healing and avoid additional diabetic wounds. Eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, achieve or maintain an ideal body weight, minimize stress, and get plenty of sleep. Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and chronic disease risk factors.

Schedule an evaluation at Texas Cardiac and Vascular Specialists by phone or request one online today to be evaluated or treated for a diabetic wound.