How We Can Help With Diabetic Foot Pain


Caring for your feet when you have diabetes is extremely important. Foot wounds, such as punctures or scrapes, often take longer to heal due to poor circulation. When it takes longer for a wound to heal, the risk for infection increases. Foot infections can lead to more serious medical conditions and foot pain. Dr. Jeffrey Belancio, the experienced podiatrist at South Jersey Foot and Ankle Specialists in Vineland, NJ, treats diabetic foot pain and can help you keep your feet healthy. 

Diabetic Foot Pain 

Diabetic foot pain is often due to a condition called neuropathy, in which nerves have been damaged. Neuropathy and foot pain can occur when blood sugar levels are too high. Persistent high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerve endings in the body, which can impede circulation and cause nerve pain. Poor blood circulation affects the feet in particular since they are so far from the heart. Some factors that increase the likelihood of experiencing diabetes-related foot pain include being a smoker, being overweight, or having kidney disease.  

Diabetic Foot Conditions

Patients with diabetes are at an increased risk for developing various types of foot conditions, such as diabetic foot neuropathy. Some of these conditions could cause pain or discomfort. Examples of foot conditions that can affect individuals with diabetes include:

  • Foot swelling
  • Charcot’s foot
  • Neuropathy
  • Foot calluses
  • Foot ulcers 

Amputation can also affect individuals with diabetes. Due to poor blood circulation and slow healing wounds, there is a higher risk for infection. Infections that become more serious and spread can ultimately result in the need for amputation so it is important to care for your feet and treat foot wounds promptly.

Ways to Care for Diabetic Feet

There are many ways to care for your feet and minimize or prevent pain when you have diabetes. Our skilled and caring podiatrist can develop a treatment plan for dealing with and preventing diabetic foot pain at our Vineland, NJ, podiatry office. Your treatment plan can include periodic foot exams to help prevent diabetes-related foot complications, as well as daily measures you can take to care for and protect your feet.

Simple and manageable ways to care for your feet on your own include: 

  • Checking the feet daily for wounds and injuries
  • Immediately applying first aid to any foot wounds
  • Seeking professional treatment for corns and calluses
  • Keeping the feet clean, warm, and dry
  • Wearing comfortable shoes throughout the day
  • Wearing loose socks to bed if your feet tend to get cold 
  • Avoiding walking around barefoot, even at home
  • Gently stretching or walking around during the day to improve circulation 

If you are dealing with diabetic foot pain, we can help. For the treatment of diabetic foot pain in Vineland, NJ, schedule a consultation with Dr. Belancio by calling South Jersey Foot and Ankle Specialists at (856) 839-0579.

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