As a person with diabetes, your feet are at risk for potential complications. A shocking 154,000 diabetics require an amputation each year, and this isn't considering everyone else who suffers. At Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois, with locations in Springfield, IL, and Decatur, IL, Dr. John Sigle, Dr. Grant Gonzalez, Dr. Zachary K. Janes, and Dr. Jared Kennedy are available to prevent complications and help ease discomfort. Here's why diabetic foot care is so vital:

Potential for Nerve-Related Problems

 When you have uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes,  high sugar levels can impede your circulation. It also increases inflammation, which can damage the nerves as well. In some cases, the sugar will directly damage the nerves. Though this condition (peripheral neuropathy) can affect other parts of the body, it commonly impacts your feet. 

As nerve damage occurs, you may not be able to feel your feet, although you might also experience pain or tingling. As you can no longer feel your feet, it's possible that sores, cuts, or other damage could occur and you won't know it. When structural damage is not treated properly and worsens, amputation may be the only solution.

Potential for Infection

 Besides a nerve-related issue, you could develop peripheral vascular disease, which affects your circulation. If you suffer from this issue, your immune system will struggle to respond to pathogens. Without adequate circulation, it's more difficult for that infection to clear from your body.

Ulceration may occur and not heal when blood isn't flowing throughout your body as well as it should. In the most serious of cases, gangrene (tissue death) could happen.

How to Prevent Complications 

 Schedule regular visits to our practice. When you visit regularly for diabetic foot care, we can assess your feet and help you take care of them in the best manner possible to prevent complications. 

Other ways to prevent complications include:

• Check your feet regularly
• Manage your sugar well
• Wash and dry your feet well daily
• Avoid going barefoot indoors or out

 If you have diabetes, book an appointment at one of our locations in Springfield, Decatur, Shelbyville, or Carlinville, IL. There, Dr. Sigle, Dr. Gonzalez, and Dr. Janes can provide diabetic foot care.