Can diabetic foot be cured?

Written by Luo Han Ying
Endocrinology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Diabetes has many complications, and once detected, the complications of diabetes cannot be completely cured. Diabetic foot is a relatively serious complication of diabetes. Diabetic foot generally involves many years of underlying vascular and nerve damage that eventually leads to infection or ulceration, resulting in the final formation of diabetic foot. Whether such a serious complication can be cured actually depends on the duration of the patient’s condition, the extent of the lesion, and most importantly, how soon they seek medical attention. For instance, if the infection is very severe, has damaged the bone, or if there is dry gangrene with local tissue necrosis in the foot, then no matter what conservative treatment is applied, it will not be effective, and surgical amputation will be the only option, meaning the foot cannot be saved. However, if some individuals only have early-stage skin ulceration that cannot heal, or if there is an infection that is not very severe, and they seek medical attention early, controlling the infection and treating with nerve nutrition and vascular protection can actually heal the ulcerated area of the foot.

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Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
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What to eat for diabetic foot?

Typically, patients with diabetic foot have had diabetes for a long period, and often have diabetic nephropathy, or serious hypoproteinemia and malnutrition. In such cases, patients with diabetic foot need to supplement with protein, specifically high-quality protein, and must avoid low-quality protein. What constitutes low-quality protein? This includes soy products and plant proteins. High-quality protein, on the other hand, includes sources like milk, eggs, poultry, and meat. However, if renal insufficiency is present and creatinine levels have increased, the amount of protein must be limited. Protein intake should be calculated based on body weight and creatinine levels, using different coefficients to determine the total daily protein allowance. It is crucial to make these protein adjustments within the framework of a diabetic diet.

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Written by Luo Han Ying
Endocrinology
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Treatment of diabetic foot numbness

If diabetic foot feels numb, it is a manifestation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic foot is a complication that occurs after diabetes has advanced to a certain degree, so it is normal for a person with diabetic foot to feel numbness. Some patients with severe diabetic neuropathy may not even feel pain during debridement, which involves cleaning the local tissues. A healthy person would definitely feel pain, but a diabetic patient, due to their neuropathy, may not feel much, if any, pain. For such patients, the main treatments are firstly, definitely controlling blood sugar and blood pressure; secondly, using medications that nourish the nerves; and thirdly, improving circulation to aid local blood flow.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
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The precursor of diabetic foot

Diabetic foot is commonly seen in patients who have had diabetes for over ten years, often due to poor blood sugar control and inadequate care. There are three factors that lead to diabetic foot. The first is vascular factors, often accompanied by arterial stenosis in both lower limbs, leading to blood supply disorders. The second is neuropathy, accompanied by peripheral neuropathy, insensitivity to temperature and pain, which makes it easy to suffer burns and external injuries to the foot. The third factor is the presence of an infectious trigger. When these three factors combine, the risk of diabetic foot becomes very high.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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Diabetic foot VSD (Vacuum Sealing Drainage) nursing key points

If you have diabetic foot, it is necessary to check the condition of your feet every day. When washing your feet daily, observe the color and shape of the feet, whether there is any skin damage, and whether there are changes in local color. Secondly, more professionally, you can feel the pulsation of the dorsal artery of the foot to see if it is normal. Third, insist on washing your feet daily to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. Be careful that the water temperature for soaking should not be too high, preferably not exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, and do not soak for more than 30 minutes. Additionally, trimming nails is very important. Do not tear them with your hands to avoid damaging the skin of your feet; use scissors to cut long nails. Another important aspect is shoe wearing. It is best to wear loose-fitting shoes to avoid rubbing against the feet and breaking the skin.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
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How to deal with diabetic foot ulcers.

For diabetic foot ulcers, the first step is to assess the severity of the foot wound. Treatment definitely requires timely consultation with an endocrinology specialist. The first step is to control blood sugar levels to meet targets; second, control blood pressure and blood lipids; third, administer systemic anti-infection treatment, choosing a sensitive antibiotic based on the wound secretion cultures; fourth, local wound management involves debridement and dressing changes depending on the condition of the wound; fifth, an ultrasound of the lower limb vessels can be conducted to check for arterial sclerosis or occlusion, subsequently using medication to improve circulation.