Foot Ulcers

What are foot ulcers?

Foot ulcers are open sores that don’t heal on their own, or wounds that keep returning. Uncontrolled diabetes is a common risk factor for foot ulcers. 

Other causes include poor circulation, arteriosclerosis, venous insufficiency, kidney failure, untreated high blood pressure, inflammatory diseases, history of smoking, infections, and more. Treatment with the highly trained Heart Vascular and Leg Center team can help you avoid foot ulcer complications, such as amputation. 

How does my provider diagnose foot ulcers?

To diagnose foot ulcers and their cause, your provider reviews your medical history, including past diagnoses and medications you take, and thoroughly examines your feet. 

Your doctor might recommend you undergo blood tests, noninvasive vascular studies, or diagnostic imaging procedures (such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs) to determine if you have a disease or vein problem associated with foot ulcers.

What are my foot ulcer treatment options?

To optimize healing and prevent future foot ulcers, the team at Heart Vascular and Leg Center might suggest:

At-home care

Things you can do at home to care for foot ulcers include keeping wounds dry and clean, changing dressings often, taking medications as directed, drinking plenty of fluids, eating healthy foods, and exercising if your doctor recommends it. Wear appropriate shoes and compression wraps as directed by your provider.

Medications

Your doctor might recommend you take antibiotics or other medications to prevent infections or blood clots. They may suggest you apply topical medicines to foot ulcers.

Dressings

Various dressings can help foot ulcers heal quickly and efficiently. Your provider might recommend moist to moist bandages, hydrogels, alginate dressings, collagen wound dressings, antimicrobial dressings, composite dressings, synthetic skin substitutes, or debriding agents.

Chronic disease management

If you have diabetes or another chronic disease, properly controlling your condition with healthy lifestyle changes, medications, or both can prevent future foot ulcers.

Other in-office treatments

Some of the numerous in-office foot ulcer treatments available at Heart Vascular and Leg Center include debridement to clean wounds and remove damaged skin, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, mist therapy, total cast offloading (TCC), and advanced biologics (skin substitutes).

Don’t live with painful foot ulcers that can cause serious medical problems. Schedule an appointment with Heart Vascular and Leg Center by phone or book one online today.