Diabetic Foot Program
Foot problems are a common complication of diabetes. Diabetes-related foot problems such as infections, ulcers or sores, deformities, and trauma are most frequently caused by nerve damage and poor blood circulation.
Diabetic Foot Care at Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland
Foot problems are the leading reason for diabetes-related hospitalization, and diabetes is the leading cause of lower leg and foot amputation. If you have diabetes, it’s critically important to manage your blood sugar to reduce the risk of foot complications.
At Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland, podiatrist Dr. Marc Lipton specializes in diabetic foot problems and wound care. Our goal is to help you prevent complications such as foot ulcers and amputations.
People with diabetes are at risk for ulcers due to peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that damages nerves and leads to a gradual loss of feeling in the hands, arms, legs, and feet. Peripheral vascular disease causes poor circulation and reduced blood flow to the feet, which slows the healing process. The result: If you can’t feel pain, you won’t know that you have a cut or blister on your foot, which can quickly develop into a sore or ulcer that becomes infected and won’t heal.
Dr. Lipton’s comprehensive diabetic foot care includes a thorough foot exam at every visit. He will determine the degree of sensation in your feet and perform noninvasive vascular tests to check the blood circulation in your feet. Dr. Lipton may order imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or bone scans to identify fractures, degeneration, and deformities, or an angiography to check the condition of the blood vessels in the legs and feet.
If you have any foot problems or complications, Dr. Lipton will treat them. He will also review your diabetes management (blood glucose levels, diet, exercise), educate you on preventive foot care, and recommend proper footwear to provide structure and improve blood circulation.
If you have diabetes, a podiatrist is an important member of your care team. In Central Maryland, Dr. Marc Lipton is your trusted source for diabetes foot care. To schedule an appointment with him in our Catonsville, Columbia, or Eldersburg offices, call (410) 644-1880, toll-free at (855) 4MD-BONE, or you can use our online form.