The information on this website is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your physician for health concerns.

+90 850 321 50 00

Diabetic Foot Care

Prevention and management of diabetes-related foot complications.

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Last updated:

This content has been compiled by the Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board and is periodically reviewed by a specialist physician.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Endokrinoloji department. Book Appointment →

What is Diabetic Foot Care?

Diabetic foot is defined as the development of loss of sensation, circulatory impairment, and non-healing wounds in the feet caused by long-term high blood sugar leading to nerve damage (neuropathy) and vascular damage (peripheral artery disease). It is known that a large proportion of the lower extremity amputations occurring every 30 seconds worldwide are related to diabetes.

Diabetic patients with sensory loss in the feet due to neuropathy may not notice a small wound or pressure point; this opens the door to infection and deep tissue damage. Concomitant peripheral vascular disease further hinders wound healing.

It is known that 85% of diabetic foot complications are preventable. Daily foot care, appropriate footwear, and regular podiatric examination are the cornerstones of these measures.

Symptoms

Numbness, tingling, or burning in the soles
Slowly healing or non-healing wounds
Color change in the feet (redness, bruising, or pallor)
Swelling and increased warmth
Foul-smelling discharge (sign of infection)
Foot pain that worsens at night (peripheral neuropathy)
Calluses, corns, and ingrown nails

Risk Factors

Long-standing and poorly controlled diabetes
Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral artery disease
Prior diabetic foot ulcer or amputation
Use of inappropriate footwear
Smoking
Visual impairment (makes foot care difficult)

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • Any non-healing or worsening wound on the foot
  • Signs of infection: redness, warmth, discharge
  • Foot wound with fever and systemic symptoms (emergency!)
  • Newly developing sensory loss or burning
  • For an annual diabetic foot examination

Treatment Methods

01
Tight blood sugar control (the cornerstone of wound healing)
02
Wound care: debridement, appropriate dressing, pressure offloading
03
Antibiotic therapy in case of infection
04
Vascular intervention (in significant peripheral artery disease)
05
Specially designed footwear and orthotic insoles
06
Daily foot inspection and care education

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Endokrinoloji department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Learn About Endokrinoloji Department

Let us help you

You can make an appointment with our specialists or contact us for your concerns.

Book AppointmentContact Us

Related Health Topics

Other articles from the same department you may want to explore.

Anaemia

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Anaemia is a low haemoglobin level that reduces oxygen delivery, causing fatigue, pallor, and shortness of breath. It is not a disease itself but a sign of many underlying conditions. Most cases are correctable with appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Iron deficiency anaemia develops when dietary intake, absorption, or losses create an iron shortfall, most often affecting women and children. Identifying the underlying cause is the core of management, alongside iron replacement.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause megaloblastic anaemia, neurological symptoms, and cognitive impairment. Early treatment with intramuscular or oral B12 largely prevents irreversible complications.

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Management

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Hypertension is often called the silent killer because it progresses symptom-free for years and can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Regular monitoring, lifestyle change, and evidence-based drug therapy dramatically reduce cardiovascular risk.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common complications of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, and can be silent in its early stages.

Hepatitis B (HBV)

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Hepatitis B is a DNA virus infection causing acute and chronic hepatitis with risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma; diagnosis integrates HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBc, and HBV DNA with management based on disease phase using nucleos(t)ide analogues (entecavir, tenofovir) and universal infant vaccination.

Hepatitis C (HCV)

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Hepatitis C is an RNA virus causing chronic hepatitis that may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma; modern direct-acting antiviral (DAA) pangenotypic regimens (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) achieve sustained virologic response over 95% in 8–12 weeks with universal adult screening and cure for nearly all patients.

Fatty Liver Disease

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely related to obesity and metabolic syndrome and is largely reversible with early treatment.

Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.