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What is "diabetic foot"?
"Diabetic foot" describes the foot problems that people with diabetes are prone to. Over years, high blood sugar can cause:
- Neuropathy (nerve damage): the feet feel numb, tingly or burning. You may not feel a stone in your shoe, a hot surface or a tight chappal rubbing the skin.
- Poor circulation (peripheral arterial disease): narrowed arteries carry less blood to the feet, so wounds heal slowly and infections are harder to fight.
- Foot shape changes: clawed toes, bunions and, rarely, collapse of the foot bones (Charcot foot), creating pressure points.
Together, these make it easy for a small injury to become a foot ulcer, an open wound that doesn't heal, which can then become infected. India has one of the largest numbers of people with diabetes in the world, and foot complications are a common reason for hospital admissions, yet many can be prevented.
Warning signs
- A cut, blister, crack or sore that isn't healing within a few days
- Redness, warmth or swelling of part of the foot
- Pus, discharge or a bad smell from a wound or between the toes
- Hard, thick calluses, sometimes with blood underneath
- Colour change: pale, blue or black skin or toes
- Numbness, tingling or burning, or a foot that feels cold
- Pain in the calves when walking, relieved by rest (poor circulation)
- Fever or high sugar readings that are hard to control, which may signal a hidden infection
Causes and risk factors
- Long-standing or poorly controlled diabetes (high HbA1c)
- Previous foot ulcer or amputation
- Walking barefoot, including at home, temples and gurdwaras
- Ill-fitting footwear, and rubber chappals that rub
- Smoking, which narrows arteries
- Kidney disease, poor eyesight, living alone
- Home "treatments" such as hot water bottles, corn caps with acid, or cutting corns with blades
When to see a doctor
A foot that is red, hot and swollen, a wound with pus or a bad smell, black skin, or fever with a foot wound needs same-day care. Infection can spread quickly in diabetes. Call 93196 62944; we are open 24×7.
Book a routine check if you have diabetes and have never had your feet examined, or if you notice numbness, calluses, cracked heels or nail problems.
How the foot is assessed at Samrijo
- Examination of both feet: skin, nails, shape, pulses and pressure points.
- Sensation test with a monofilament and tuning fork to check for nerve damage.
- Blood tests in the in-house lab: sugar, HbA1c, kidney function, blood count and infection markers.
- X-ray of the foot to look for bone infection (osteomyelitis) or deformity.
- Doppler ultrasound of the leg arteries to check blood flow.
- Wound swab or tissue culture to choose the right antibiotic.
Wounds are often graded by depth, infection and blood supply; this guides how intensive treatment needs to be.
Treatment options
What to expect
First visit
Full foot examination, tests and the first cleaning and dressing of the wound. You'll learn how to care for it at home.
Regular reviews
Dressing changes and debridement at set intervals, with checks on sugar and infection.
If admitted
For severe infection: IV antibiotics, drainage or debridement in the operation theatre, and close sugar control.
After healing
Protective footwear, regular foot checks and a daily care routine to prevent the ulcer returning. Healing time varies widely.
Daily foot care for people with diabetes
- Look at your feet every day, including soles and between the toes. Use a mirror or ask a family member.
- Wash daily in lukewarm water (test with your elbow, not your foot) and dry well, especially between the toes.
- Moisturise dry skin and cracked heels, but not between the toes.
- Never walk barefoot, even at home.
- Don't cut corns yourself or use acid corn caps. Get them treated.
- Check inside your shoes before wearing them.
- Keep your sugar, BP and cholesterol under control, and stop smoking.
For a printable routine, see our diabetic foot daily care checklist.
Choosing the right footwear
Good footwear prevents many ulcers. Choose closed, soft, well-cushioned shoes with enough room for the toes, fastened with laces or velcro so they don't slip. Buy shoes in the evening, when feet are largest. Avoid tight, pointed, high-heeled shoes and thin rubber chappals. Always wear clean cotton socks without tight elastic. If you've had an ulcer or have foot deformity, ask about custom insoles or diabetic footwear.
Why choose Samrijo Hospital
- Surgical wound care by Dr. Arun Kumar Patel (MBBS, MS General Surgery), including debridement and drainage.
- Lab and X-ray in the same building for sugar control and infection checks.
- 24×7 hospital for foot infections that can't wait.
- Practical advice suited to Indian homes, footwear and diets.
Cost
Cost depends on wound severity, number of dressings and visits, tests, procedures, hospital stay and insurance. Call 93196 62944 for an estimate.
डायबिटिक फुट का इलाज, बुराड़ी
डायबिटीज़ में लंबे समय तक शुगर ज़्यादा रहने से पैरों की नसें सुन्न हो जाती हैं और ख़ून का बहाव कम हो जाता है। इसलिए छोटा-सा कट, छाला या जूते की रगड़ भी बिना पता चले घाव (अल्सर) बन सकती है और उसमें संक्रमण हो सकता है। घाव का न भरना, लाली, सूजन, मवाद, बदबू, त्वचा का काला पड़ना और पैरों में झनझनाहट इसके चेतावनी संकेत हैं।
Samrijo Hospital, बुराड़ी में शुगर, एक्स-रे और घाव की जाँच के बाद नियमित ड्रेसिंग, मृत त्वचा हटाना (डिब्राइडमेंट), घाव से दबाव हटाना, एंटीबायोटिक और ज़रूरत होने पर सर्जरी की जाती है। जल्दी इलाज शुरू करने से ज़्यादातर घाव भर सकते हैं। रोज़ पैरों को देखें, नंगे पैर न चलें और आरामदायक जूते पहनें। पैर लाल, गर्म, सूजा हो या बुखार हो तो उसी दिन दिखाएँ।
कॉल करें: 93196 62944 (24×7)।
Frequently asked questions
Why do people with diabetes get foot ulcers?
Long-term high sugar can damage the nerves (so injuries aren't felt) and the blood vessels (so wounds heal slowly) in the feet. A small blister, crack or cut can then become an ulcer and get infected without the person noticing.
Can a diabetic foot ulcer heal?
Yes, many ulcers heal with regular wound care, removal of dead tissue, pressure off-loading, infection control and good sugar control. Healing can take weeks to months, and the earlier treatment starts, the better the chance.
Does every diabetic foot infection lead to amputation?
No. Most people with diabetic foot problems never need an amputation. Early treatment, good sugar control and daily foot checks greatly reduce the risk. When tissue is badly damaged, removing only the dead part may save the rest of the foot.
Should I walk on a foot ulcer?
Pressure on an ulcer stops it from healing. Your doctor may advise special footwear, dressings, a cast or crutches to take weight off the wound (off-loading).
Is it safe to cut my own toenails if I have diabetes?
Yes, if your eyesight is good and you have normal feeling. Cut straight across and file the edges. If you have numb feet, poor vision or thick nails, ask a trained person to help.
What does diabetic foot treatment cost?
It depends on the severity of the wound, tests (sugar, X-ray, Doppler), dressings, procedures and hospital stay. Call 93196 62944 for an estimate.
डायबिटीज़ में पैर का घाव जल्दी क्यों नहीं भरता?
लंबे समय तक शुगर ज़्यादा रहने से पैरों की नसें (सुन्नपन) और ख़ून की नलियाँ प्रभावित होती हैं। इससे चोट का पता नहीं चलता और घाव तक ख़ून कम पहुँचता है, इसलिए घाव धीरे भरता है और संक्रमण जल्दी होता है।
डायबिटीज़ के मरीज़ पैरों की देखभाल कैसे करें?
रोज़ पैरों को ध्यान से देखें, गुनगुने पानी से धोकर अच्छी तरह सुखाएँ, नंगे पैर न चलें, आरामदायक जूते पहनें और किसी भी कट, छाले या रंग बदलने पर तुरंत डॉक्टर को दिखाएँ।
Related treatments
This page is for general health information only. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. Every patient is different, so please consult a qualified doctor about your own condition and treatment. Medical disclaimer.