Foot & ankle specialists

What is the diabetic foot?

It is a disorder caused by the disease that generates damage to the peripheral nerves of the feet, generating sensory disorders, ulcers on the sole of the foot, skin atrophy, damage to the arteries. This condition is a consequence of prolonged poor control of glycemia, better known as blood sugar. But nowadays, orthopedic insoles are offered that treat problems caused in the feet.

Why does it occur?

In order for you to more accurately understand what diabetic foot is, you need to understand the terms diabetic neuropathy, sensory nerves, motor nerves, and autonomic nerves.

• Diabetic neuropathy. This is nerve damage that is caused by diabetes. The most frequent symptoms are tingling, a sensation of heat or burning pain, stabbing pain and cramps, all in the feet and legs, as well as being able to affect the hands. You should know that they worsen with rest and improve with physical activity.
• Sensitive nerves. There is a decrease or total loss of sensitivity, consequently, the person can hurt himself and not realize it. For example, you can put a hot bag on your feet and get burned without being noticed or put on a shoe with a strange shaft inside and in more severe cases not notice the foul odor if it becomes infected.
• Motor nerves. They are the nerves that go to the muscle fibers, thus achieving movement. For this reason, damage to these nerves produces a decrease in the size of the muscle and an affectation of its strength. Leading to deformities of the fingers, affecting the step and creating calluses.
• Autonomic nerves. The sweat and sebaceous nerves are part of these nerves, the condition of these produces dryness of the skin.

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