Hip Osteonecrosis

Diabetes is often associated with foot problems. Diabetes prevents the body from producing enough insulin, or the body does not use insulin like it should. Because of this glucose, or sugar, is not absorbed into the body’s cells and instead remains in the bloodstream. When diabetes is not properly managed, it can lead to other medical conditions including nerve damage and poor blood circulation. This means the risk for diabetic foot disease is very high. Diabetic foot disease includes risk of infection, ulcers, deformities, injuries, and limited mobility.

Preventative care including at-home and medical evaluation of the feet has shown to significantly manage risk. If the below symptoms sound familiar to you, contact our foot and ankle specialists to schedule an evaluation.

Symptoms

  • Changes in skin color or temperature.
  • Swelling or pain in the feet, ankles, or legs
  • Foot ulcers or open sores on the feet that may be draining
  • Ingrown toenails or toenail fungus
  • Dry, cracked heels; corns; or calluses
  • Unusual or persistent foot odor

Causes

  • Diabetic neuropathy – a nerve damage in the feet that affects feeling and sensation
  • Peripheral vascular disease – a condition affecting blood flow inhibiting the body’s ability to heal simple sores or cuts quickly
  • Foot ulcers or sores
  • Foot deformities such as hammertoe, claw toe, or Charcot foot

Risk Factors

  • Uncontrolled or inconsistent management of diabetes
  • Excessive weight
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Smoking

Diagnosis

  • Clinical evaluation by a foot and ankle specialist
  • X-rays or bone scans to evaluate bone health
  • MRI or CT scans to evaluate muscle and soft tissue health
  • Sensation testing

Treatment Options

  • Consistently following a nutrition, exercise, and medication plan designed to manage diabetes
  • Daily self-evaluation of the condition and appearance of your feet to help with early detection of sores, injuries, or irregularities
  • Use of orthotic shoe inserts to alleviate bone related conditions
  • Immobilization of feet affected by deformities, such as hammertoe; claw toe; Charcot foot, using a walking boot or cast
  • Modification of activity levels if trauma occurs to avoid repetitive trauma
  • Surgical treatment may be recommended to repair severe deformities or ulcers