Diabetic Foot Care in Arizona

Diabetes can be dangerous to your feet — even a small cut or blister can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

Over time, elevated blood sugar levels may cause:

• Nerve damage (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) — reducing feeling in your feet
• Poor circulation — limiting your body’s ability to heal
• Higher infection risk — making minor wounds more serious

When sensation is reduced, you may not feel a blister forming, a pebble in your shoe, or a small cut. Without proper care, these seemingly minor issues can turn into ulcers, infections, or non-healing wounds that increase the risk of hospitalization or amputation.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

This condition develops gradually and may begin years before a diabetes diagnosis. Symptoms can include tingling, burning, numbness, or sharp pain in the feet. Loss of sensation increases injury risk — which is why routine diabetic foot exams are so important.

Charcot Foot

Charcot foot is a serious condition in which weakened bones in the foot fracture and collapse, sometimes without noticeable pain. As it progresses, the foot can change shape — often developing a rocker-bottom deformity. Early diagnosis dramatically improves outcomes.

Because complications can escalate quickly, proactive care from a podiatrist experienced in diabetic foot care is essential.

Diabetic foot problems are among the most common complications of diabetes — affecting nearly 1 in 3 individuals at some point.

The most common underlying causes include:

• Poor Circulation: High blood sugar damages blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the feet. Without healthy circulation, wounds heal more slowly, and infections develop more easily.

• Nerve Damage (Peripheral Neuropathy): Loss of sensation means injuries often go unnoticed until they worsen.

• Pressure & Friction: Ill-fitting shoes, foot deformities, bunions, hammertoes, or prominent bones can create pressure points that lead to ulcers.

• Thick Nails & Calluses: Improper nail trimming or thickened calluses can break down and become entry points for infection — especially in diabetic patients.

• Uncontrolled Blood Sugar: Long-term elevated glucose levels increase the risk of vascular damage, nerve injury, and immune system impairment.

The good news? Most serious diabetic foot complications are preventable with routine monitoring and early intervention.

To prevent diabetic foot complications, we recommend:

• Inspecting your feet every day (tops, soles, and between toes)

• Keeping feet clean and dry

• Trimming nails carefully (or have them professionally managed)

• Moisturizing dry skin — but avoid between toes

• Never walking barefoot, even indoors

• Wearing properly fitted, supportive shoes

• Controlling blood sugar levels

• Scheduling routine diabetic foot exams

For some patients, we may recommend custom diabetic shoes or orthotics to reduce pressure and protect high-risk areas.

Preventive care is always easier — and safer — than treating advanced complications.

If you have diabetes, contact a podiatrist right away if you notice:

• Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations

• Cuts, blisters, or sores that aren’t healing

• Redness, swelling, or warmth

• Drainage or signs of infection

• Changes in foot shape

• Thickened, discolored toenails

• New calluses or cracks in the skin

• Foot pain (even mild discomfort)

  When it comes to diabetic foot care, early treatment can prevent significant problems.

At the Foot & Ankle Center of Arizona, we take a comprehensive, proactive approach to diabetic foot exams.

Your evaluation may include:

• Neuropathy testing (monofilament exam, sensory testing)

• Circulation assessment

• Skin and nail evaluation

• Pressure point analysis

• Gait evaluation

• Imaging (if needed) to assess bone integrity

Our board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons are experienced in identifying both early warning signs and complex diabetic foot conditions.

We don’t just treat symptoms — we create a long-term prevention strategy tailored to your lifestyle and health history.

Treatment depends on your specific condition and risk level. We offer both non-surgical and advanced surgical solutions when necessary.

Preventive & Conservative Care

• Routine diabetic foot exams

• Professional diabetic toenail care

• Callus and corn management

• Neuropathy management

• Wound care and ulcer treatment

• Custom orthotics

• Diabetic shoe fittings

• Infection treatment

Advanced & Surgical Care

If complications become severe, our fellowship-trained surgeons provide advanced reconstructive options, including:

• Charcot foot reconstruction

• Ulcer debridement

• Infection management

• Limb salvage procedures

Our mission is always preservation — protecting your mobility and preventing amputation whenever possible.