Foot Ulcers

Foot ulcers are open sores on the feet that fail to heal on their own, and they increase your risk of an infection that can lead to limb amputation. At Pinnacle Foot & Ankle Clinics in Edina and Burnsville, Minnesota, the podiatrists provide cutting-edge foot ulcer care to support healing and prevent complications. Call the nearest office or schedule an appointment online today to get help for your foot ulcer.

What are foot ulcers?

Foot ulcers are sores that develop on the feet and fail to heal. They form when there’s a breakdown in the skin and tissue in the foot or ankle, putting you at risk of infection.

There are three kinds of foot ulcers:

Venous ulcers

Venous ulcers are open sores that develop around the ankles. You’ll develop venous ulcers if you have poor circulation in the veins (chronic venous insufficiency) in your legs, which causes ankle swelling and skin discoloration.

Diabetic foot ulcers

People with diabetes need to take exceptional care of their feet because they risk developing diabetic foot ulcers. These sores often show up on the bottom of the foot, and they might not cause pain because diabetes tends to damage the foot’s nerves (neuropathy).

Diabetic foot ulcers also fail to heal because of poor circulation through the foot.

Ischemic foot ulcers

Ischemic foot ulcers are sores that affect any part of the foot because of poor circulation in your peripheral arteries. These blood vessels deliver oxygen-rich blood to your legs and arms.

When do I need podiatry care for foot ulcers?

You need podiatry care for your foot ulcer if you have a sore that won’t heal and a history of diabetes or poor circulation. These chronic medical conditions increase your risk of developing severe complications from a foot ulcer and require immediate professional care.

The team also recommends that you come in for care if your foot sore doesn’t start healing within two weeks or fails to fully heal within six weeks.

During your initial evaluation, your podiatrist examines your foot and wound and reviews your medical history. They might order X-rays to determine how severe your ulcer is, blood work to check for infections, and/or ultrasound to evaluate blood circulation.

How are foot ulcers treated?

The Pinnacle Foot & Ankle Clinics team customizes your foot ulcer treatment based on how severe your wound is and your medical history. Initial treatment can include:

• Wound care cleaning and dressing
• Antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection
• Diet changes
• Nutritional supplements
• Activity changes
• Custom-fitted orthotics (personalized shoe inserts)
• Foot elevation

Sometimes, the team will use surgery to treat your foot ulcer. This can include debridement (removal) of dead tissue or reconstructive surgery using skin grafts. The treatment goal is to support healing and save your limb.

Foot ulcers require proper care to prevent complications. Call Pinnacle Foot & Ankle Clinics or schedule an appointment online today.