Diabetic Foot Care Specialist
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Scheffel Foot Center
John A. Scheffel, DPM
Podiatry located in Worcester, MA & Clinton, MA
The effects of diabetes on the human body can be widespread, and your feet are often among the first areas to fall prey. The damage this disease causes on your nervous system, especially on the peripheral nerves in your feet, can be very serious and requires the expert oversight of a podiatrist such as Dr. John Scheffel. At Scheffel Foot Center, Dr. Scheffel ensures that his diabetic patients in Worcester, Massachusetts, receive the proper care to safeguard their foot health. To learn more about diabetic foot care, call or use the online scheduling tool.
Diabetic Foot Care Q & A
How does diabetes affect my feet?
No matter what type of diabetes you have, the systemic and chronic disease can cause extensive nerve damage, especially in outlying areas such as your feet and legs. Diabetes leads to dangerously high levels of glucose (sugar) in your bloodstream, which can severely compromise your circulatory and nervous systems, and your feet are often the first to succumb.
The condition is called diabetic neuropathy and the best way to fight back is to prevent the condition from developing in the first place. But if neuropathy has already taken hold, your next best step is to seek the guidance of a podiatrist experienced in diabetic foot care, like Dr. Scheffel.
What are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy?
The most common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are:
- Tingling and numbness in your feet
- Sharp pains in your feet
- Increased sensitivity
- Sores or wounds on your feet that are slow to heal
- Weakness in your feet
In its more advanced stages, you may experience a loss of balance or coordination as a result of extensive nerve damage.
What special foot care do I need?
The best way to head off diabetic neuropathy is to prevent your diabetes from inflicting damage to your nerves through diligent glucose monitoring. Many diabetics are able to stave off nerve damage by ensuring that their diabetes is sufficiently controlled.
Having a podiatrist like Dr. Scheffel as part of your healthcare team is crucial as he’s able to spot the early signs of neuropathy and step in to stop the disease from causing irreparable damage to your feet.
From wound care to trimming your nails, Dr. Scheffel ensures that your feet remain as healthy as possible since your body is no longer able to do the job properly.
What can I do at home to care for my feet?
While Dr. Scheffel is able to provide expert medical care for your feet, there’s a lot you can do at home on a daily basis to help your feet, such as:
- Make sure your feet are clean and dry at all times
- Check your feet every day for any open wounds
- Wear comfortable shoes that promote good circulation (no tight shoes)
At the first sign of a problem, or if you notice an open wound, get in to see Dr. Scheffel right away so he can provide the care you need to prevent a small problem from becoming a full-blown medical emergency.
For comprehensive diabetic foot care, call Scheffel Foot Center or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment.
