It is quite common for people with diabetes to suffer from pain in their feet. All told, four types of foot conditions can arise as a direct result of someone having diabetes and these are the conditions that we are going to discuss today. If you do have diabetes and you have foot pain, then we recommend making an appointment with a local foot doctor. They will have a look at your feet and then give you a diagnosis and the correct treatment for any conditions that you have. The pain in your feet from the conditions mentioned below is manageable, as long as you get the right diagnosis and you are keeping an eye on your blood sugar.
Muscle and joint problems
Muscles can be affected by circulation problems, atrophy and diabetic neuropathy, each of these will cause pain, discomfort and will force you to walk in ways that are not natural. You may notice that the joints in your feet are locked in the bent position or that they are particularly stiff. This is caused by the sugar in your blood combining with proteins in the joints. If you have any of these conditions, you may need to wear inserts in your shoes or have shoes specially made for you to help counteract the muscle and joint issues.
Circulation problems
Your feet might be numb to the touch, yet you may also feel intense pain as a result of circulation problems. These problems arise because of the effect that your blood sugar has on the veins, capillaries and arteries. You might need to have physical therapy, do some exercises or even have surgery to help improve your circulation.
Infections
If you have diabetes, then you are more susceptible to infections than people without the condition. Yeast, fungal and bacterial infections can all grow on your feet and can all be the cause of the pain that you are in. Things to look out for are areas of swelling, redness, pain and warmth that are easily irritated. You may find these between your toes if you have a fungal or yeast infection or any area that is irritated or injured if it is a bacterial infection. You should contact your GP or a foot doctor as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentions here.
Nerve problems
This is the most common condition that affects diabetic people’s feet. It is a condition known as Peripheral Neuropathy, and it is where the nerves are affected by diabetes directly. There are three types of nerves problems that you can get: motor, sensory and autonomic neuropathy. Keeping your muscles and joints moving by walking, massaging and using foot oil can really help these conditions but it is worth speaking with a foot doctor to see what they recommend before you begin any treatment.
We hope this blog post has helped you understand some of the conditions that affect your feet if you have diabetes. If you have any other questions regarding the conditions or would like to make an appointment with us to see if you have any of the conditions mentioned in this article, then please contact us today.