Diabetic foot ulcers pose a severe health threat, often triggered by peripheral neuropathy, which diminishes sensation and allows unnoticed injuries to progress. Compromised blood flow, a hallmark of diabetes, further delays healing and heightens infection risk. These ulcers are evaluated using detailed grading systems, guiding interventions such as surgical debridement to excise diseased tissue, advanced wound dressings to optimize healing, and off-loading techniques to alleviate pain. Infection control is of utmost importance, along with meticulous glycemic regulation to curb inflammation and promote recovery. Surgical intervention, including reconstruction or amputation, may become necessary in extreme cases. Prevention remains key to the management of diabetic foot ulcers. If you are diabetic, it is strongly suggested that you include a podiatrist on your healthcare team who can teach you about vigilant foot care, provide routine monitoring, and care for any foot problems before more severe complications arise.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Brain Middleton, DPM from Medical Foot Care Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Rome, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ankle impingement is a painful condition where soft tissues or bony structures in the ankle become pinched, often following repetitive activities or past injuries like sprains. Ankle impingement can be categorized as anterior or posterior impingement, depending on the location of the pain. Anterior impingement is commonly seen in runners and athletes who frequently bend the ankle upward. This action causes pain in the front of the ankle, particularly during cutting or pivoting motions. Posterior impingement affects the back of the ankle. It is often experienced by dancers and athletes who repeatedly point their toes downward. Symptoms include swelling, reduced range of motion, and discomfort with specific movements. A podiatrist can diagnose ankle impingement through an examination and use X-rays or MRI scans to identify the cause and location of the pain. Treatment options include targeted exercises, orthotics, injections to reduce pain, and in some cases, surgery to restore ankle function. If you are suffering from ankle pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for treatment.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Brain Middleton, DPM from Medical Foot Care Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Rome, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

For those with rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, proper foot care is essential to manage pain and prevent mobility issues. RA often affects the joints in the feet, causing swelling, stiffness, and pain that can worsen without special attention. Consistent and gentle foot exercises help maintain joint flexibility while wearing supportive footwear minimizes stress on sensitive areas. Look for shoes with cushioned soles, wide toe boxes, and arch support to ease pressure on joints. Daily inspection of the feet is important for spotting redness, sores, or deformities early, as RA can make skin and nails more prone to damage. Applying moisturizer helps prevent dry skin and cracks. If you have RA and have pain or deformities like bunions that worsen, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can recommend custom orthotics or special footwear adjustments, providing relief and improving mobility.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact Brain Middleton, DPM of Medical Foot Care Center. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

• Swelling and pain in the feet
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain on the ball or sole of feet
• Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Rome, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.