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Precision Medicine
What is diabetic foot?
30 December 2025
It is a process of tissue ulceration in the feet of people with diabetes, caused by an excess of glucose in the blood. This leads to diabetic neuropathy, which triggers injuries, knocks, and deformities in the foot, paving the way for the emergence of an ulcer susceptible to infection. This can lead to serious complications such as gangrene and foot amputation.
When lesions on the feet are adequately monitored and treated promptly, potential ulcers can be controlled, hence the importance of checking the condition of your feet daily. Remember that over 20% of diabetic patients suffer from diabetic foot.
Complications of Diabetes that Cause Diabetic Foot:
- Peripheral Neuropathy: Damages sensory and motor nerves, causing muscle atrophy and deformities.
- Peripheral Vascular Disease: Vascular lesions in the arteries and ischemia (lack of blood flow) of the diabetic foot.
- Immunopathy: Deficiencies in the immune system caused by hyperglycemia provide a clear path for ulcerations to become infected.
Signs and symptoms Diabetic Foot
- Wounds or lesions that turn into ulcerations.
- Cramps.
- Tingling.
- Numbness.
- Loss of sensation in the foot.
Diagnosis and treatment Diabetic Foot
Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical exam that will include a thorough examination of the feet to look for:
- Wounds.
- Lesions.
- Ulcers.
- Deformities.
- Skin alterations.
- Signs of vascular disease.
- Nail infections.
The treatment to follow will depend on the severity of the lesion and whether there is an infection, but generally, hygiene, rest, and pressure relief in the affected area are recommended.
When vascular problems are present, they must be evaluated by an angiologist, and if there is an infection, a pharmacological therapy of antibiotics should be followed.
How to Prevent Diabetic Foot:
- Daily checks of the feet.
- Avoid smoking.
- Maintain strict hygiene.
- Avoid walking barefoot.
- Use comfortable and appropriate footwear.
At the Cardiovascular Center, we offer a wide range of prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up services to take care of you through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary care model. Come closer, we want to listen to your heart.
Related centers and departments Diabetic Foot
Fuentes:
- elsevier.es
- cun.es
- mayoclinic.org
- medlineplus.gov
- msdmanuals.com
- topdoctors.es
- medigraphic.org
- Martínez DFR, Guerrero TG, Ochoa HP, et al. Diagnóstico, clasificación y tratamiento de las infecciones en el pie diabético. Cir Gen. 2012;34(3):199-205.
- García GE. Pie diabético. Rev Endocrinol Nutr. 2002;10(2):84-88.
- Medina AA, Botello REA, Fimia DR. Autocuidado de los pies en pacientes diabéticos. Medicentro. 2020;24(4):819-825.
- Perez MK, Sánchez GF, Sánchez GAJ, et al. Factores desencadenantes del pie diabético en pacientes con Diabetes Mellitus. 16 de abril. 2021;60(279):1-5.
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The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.
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