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Rehabilitation: Diabetic Foot Care

Total contact cast, offloading orthotic, neuropathic ulcer healing, gait retraining

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.

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

What is Rehabilitation: Diabetic Foot Care?

Diabetic foot disease results from peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, and abnormal foot biomechanics, leading to plantar ulcers, Charcot neuroarthropathy, and infection. Lifetime risk of foot ulcer in diabetics exceeds 25 percent, with 85 percent of amputations preceded by ulceration.

Rehabilitation begins with comprehensive assessment: monofilament and tuning fork sensory testing, pulses and ankle-brachial index, deformity inventory, and footwear analysis. Active ulcers require offloading via total contact cast (gold standard healing 80 to 90 percent in 6 weeks), removable cast walker, or felted foam padding. Wound bed preparation, debridement, and dressings complement offloading.

Long-term prevention includes custom-molded therapeutic footwear, depth shoes with removable insoles, daily skin inspection, regular podiatric care, and gait retraining to redistribute pressure. Charcot foot during acute phase requires non-weight-bearing in total contact cast for three to six months. Patient education on glycemic control, foot hygiene, and warning signs reduces recurrence.

Symptoms

Numbness or tingling in feet
Foot ulcer not healing
Foot deformity or red hot foot
Calluses over pressure points
Difficulty walking due to pain

Risk Factors

Diabetes longer than 10 years
Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral arterial disease
Previous foot ulcer or amputation
Foot deformity or limited joint mobility

When to See a Doctor?

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

  • For any new ulcer or wound on foot
  • For red, warm, swollen foot (Charcot)
  • For calluses or hard skin
  • For loss of foot sensation
  • For ill-fitting footwear and pain

Treatment Methods

01
Total contact cast for plantar ulcer
02
Custom therapeutic footwear
03
Wound debridement and dressings
04
Gait retraining and pressure redistribution
05
Glycemic control optimization
06
Patient education and self-monitoring

Which Department to Visit?

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

Learn About Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon Department

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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.