Treating Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers Using Minimally Invasive Surgery

Foot ulcers are a serious and potentially life-threatening side effect of diabetes. According to the National Library of Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health, approximately 20% of moderate or severe ulcer-related foot infections result in the amputation of the lower extremities.

At Acacia Foot & Ankle Surgeons in Peoria, Arizona, we offer comprehensive diabetic foot care services to prevent ulcers and the need for amputation.

Kaveh Panahi, DPM, and our highly skilled surgeons provide nonsurgical therapies to treat ulcers in the earliest stage. They can also use minimally invasive techniques to repair damaged tissue in your feet and ankles.

The link between diabetes and foot ulcers

Foot ulcers are open sores that can develop on your feet or ankles after an injury or because of excess pressure on your lower extremities from your body weight.

People with poorly controlled diabetes are susceptible to nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), which reduces pain sensations in your feet. When you experience a cut or abrasion, you may not feel it right away, and the wound can grow larger and become infected.

For this reason, daily foot checks are essential for people with diabetes. You should examine all areas of your feet, including the skin between the toes, to identify wounds early before they get worse.

Initial treatment for foot ulcers includes topical or oral medications, bandages, and changes in your footwear. However, if you have a wound that isn’t healing, you may need surgery to prevent further damage to the soft tissues, nerves, and bones in your feet.

Surgical options for diabetic foot ulcers

Surgery is usually recommended when you have a nonhealing ulcer with a significant amount of infection or dead tissue. Acacia Foot & Ankle Surgeons provides several types of surgeries for diabetic foot ulcers, including:

Debridement

During debridement, our surgeons clean the ulcer to eliminate infection and then remove any dead skin. We use minimally invasive techniques to prevent damage to the surrounding tissue and ensure your wound heals more efficiently. 

Pressure-reduction procedures

Issues like bone misalignments or an overly tight Achilles tendon can put too much pressure on your feet and lead to the development of ulcers on your soles or between the toes.

Our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to release tight tendons or reposition bones to lower risk factors for additional ulcers. Surgery can also improve your mobility, so you can stay active and maintain a healthy weight.

Osteotomy

Osteotomy is a surgery to reshape the bones and joints in your feet and toes. This treatment can reduce pressure on the underside of the foot, which contributes to chronic diabetic ulcers.

We use minimally invasive techniques that require only small incisions to access, reshape, and realign bones.

Prevention is key

The best way to prevent diabetic foot ulcers and the need for surgery is to schedule routine foot exams at Acacia Foot & Ankle Surgeons.

We also offer resources to help you care for your feet, including guidance on trimming your toenails and tips for keeping your skin clean and moisturized. We work closely with you on a plan to reduce your risk for ulcers and other diabetic foot complications, so you can stay active and healthy.

Our providers can also collaborate with your family physician or diabetes specialist to provide the high-quality care you deserve.

Call Acacia Foot & Ankle Surgeons today to schedule a diabetic foot exam or book an appointment online.