Diabetic foot care Glendale AZ

Diabetic Foot Care in Glendale, AZ

If you have diabetes, your feet deserve special attention — every single day. Diabetes affects the nerves and blood vessels in your feet, which means injuries that might be minor for others can become serious, even life-threatening, if not caught early and managed properly. At Sole Foot & Ankle Specialists, our board-certified podiatrists specialize in comprehensive diabetic foot care for patients throughout Glendale, Phoenix, Peoria, and Sun City, AZ. We are your dedicated partners in preventing complications and protecting your long-term foot health.

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Why Diabetic Foot Care Is Critical

Diabetes affects the feet through two primary mechanisms: diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) and peripheral arterial disease (poor circulation). Together, these conditions create a dangerous combination — your feet may not feel pain from cuts, blisters, or sores (neuropathy), and when wounds do occur, they may not heal efficiently due to reduced blood flow. The result can be rapidly progressing infections, deep tissue damage, or in severe cases, amputation.

According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes are 10 to 20 times more likely to require a lower limb amputation than those without diabetes. However, with proper podiatric care, the vast majority of these amputations are preventable. Regular professional foot exams, patient education, and early intervention are the foundation of effective diabetic foot management.

Common Diabetic Foot Complications

Patients with diabetes are at elevated risk for a wide range of foot conditions, including:

  • Diabetic neuropathy: Damage to the peripheral nerves causing numbness, tingling, burning, or complete loss of sensation in the feet — learn more on our Neuropathy page
  • Foot ulcers: Open sores that develop from minor injuries or pressure that go unnoticed due to neuropathy — see our Foot Ulcers page
  • Poor wound healing: Reduced blood flow impairs the body’s natural healing process, causing even small wounds to become chronic
  • Charcot foot: A serious condition where weakened bones in the foot fracture and collapse, often without pain, leading to severe deformity if undetected
  • Peripheral arterial disease (PAD): Narrowed arteries reduce circulation to the feet — see our PAD page for more information
  • Infections: Bacteria can enter through cracks in the skin, calluses, or wounds and progress rapidly into deep tissue infections or bone infection (osteomyelitis)
  • Calluses and pressure sores: Thickened skin areas, especially under the ball of the foot, can break down and create ulcer entry points

What to Expect at a Diabetic Foot Exam

The American Diabetes Association recommends a comprehensive foot exam at least once a year for all diabetic patients — and more frequently for those with neuropathy, circulation problems, or a history of ulcers. At Sole Foot & Ankle Specialists, our diabetic foot exams include:

  • Neurological assessment using monofilament testing to evaluate sensation in the feet
  • Vascular evaluation to assess circulation and identify signs of PAD
  • Skin and nail inspection for signs of infection, calluses, ulcers, or structural changes
  • Biomechanical evaluation to identify pressure points and gait abnormalities
  • Footwear assessment and recommendations for diabetic shoes and custom orthotics
  • Patient education on proper daily foot care routines and warning signs that require prompt attention

Diabetic Foot Treatment Options

Our approach to diabetic foot care is proactive and comprehensive. Treatment options available at Sole Foot & Ankle Specialists include:

  • Custom orthotics and diabetic footwear: Specially designed orthotics and therapeutic shoes that eliminate pressure points and reduce ulcer risk
  • Wound care and ulcer management: Advanced treatments for existing foot ulcers and wounds, including debridement, infection control, and specialized dressings
  • Nail care: Safe trimming of nails and treatment of ingrown toenails and fungal nail infections
  • Callus management: Regular professional debridement of calluses that could break down and create wound entry points
  • Infection treatment: Antibiotic therapy and coordinated care with your primary physician or endocrinologist when needed
  • Vascular referral: Coordination with vascular surgeons when circulation problems require intervention beyond podiatric scope

Daily Diabetic Foot Care Tips

Between professional visits, daily self-care is essential for diabetic foot health:

  • Inspect your feet daily — top, bottom, heels, and between toes — for cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling
  • Wash feet gently with mild soap and lukewarm (not hot) water; dry thoroughly, especially between the toes
  • Apply moisturizer to dry skin, but avoid between the toes where moisture can cause fungal growth
  • Never walk barefoot — even indoors
  • Wear well-fitting, comfortable shoes and check inside for debris before putting them on
  • Never attempt to cut corns or calluses yourself — visit your podiatrist for safe removal
  • Contact our office immediately if you notice any wound, sore, or skin change that doesn’t begin to heal within 24 to 48 hours

Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetic Foot Care

How often should a diabetic patient see a podiatrist?

The American Diabetes Association recommends at least one comprehensive foot exam per year for all patients with diabetes. Patients with neuropathy, circulation problems, a history of ulcers, or structural deformities should be seen more frequently — often every 1 to 3 months — for monitoring and preventive care. Our podiatrists will work with you to establish a visit schedule appropriate for your risk level.

What is diabetic neuropathy, and how does it affect my feet?

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by chronically elevated blood sugar. In the feet, it most commonly causes a gradual loss of sensation — meaning you may not feel cuts, blisters, or pressure sores as they develop. It can also affect the motor nerves, leading to foot deformities, or the autonomic nerves, causing dry, cracked skin that becomes an entry point for infection. Early detection through regular foot exams is key to managing neuropathy effectively.

Can a foot ulcer be treated without surgery?

Yes, in many cases. Mild to moderate diabetic foot ulcers are often successfully treated with conservative wound care, including debridement, offloading (using special boots or orthotics to remove pressure), infection control, and specialized wound dressings. More severe ulcers, particularly those involving tendon, bone, or deep tissue infection, may require surgical intervention. Early treatment dramatically improves the chances of healing without surgery.

What footwear is best for people with diabetes?

Patients with diabetes benefit from shoes with a wide, deep toe box that does not compress the toes, cushioned soles to absorb impact, seamless or minimal-seam interiors to reduce friction, and adjustable closures for a secure fit. Medicare often covers therapeutic footwear for qualified diabetic patients. Our podiatrists can prescribe and fit appropriate diabetic shoes and custom insoles to significantly reduce your risk of ulceration.

Is it safe for diabetics to cut their own toenails?

Patients with neuropathy or poor circulation should have their toenails trimmed by a podiatrist to minimize the risk of accidental cuts that could become infected. For patients with adequate sensation and circulation and no active wounds, trimming toenails straight across with clean nail clippers is generally safe. We provide personalized guidance on nail care based on each patient’s individual risk profile.

What is Charcot foot, and can it be prevented?

Charcot foot (Charcot neuroarthropathy) is a serious complication of diabetic neuropathy in which weakened bones of the foot fracture and the foot’s arch collapses — often without pain. Left undetected, it leads to severe deformity and greatly increased ulcer risk. Early signs include warmth, redness, and swelling without pain. Charcot foot can be managed with immobilization in its early stages to prevent further collapse. Regular foot exams are the best way to catch it early.

What should I do if I get a cut on my foot as a diabetic?

Clean the wound gently with mild soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover with a sterile bandage. Then contact our office immediately for an evaluation — even if the cut seems minor. Diabetic patients should not wait to see if a wound “heals on its own,” as infections can progress very quickly without visible pain. When in doubt, call us: (602) 938-3600.