Ulcers of the Foot

Ulcers are sores of the skin that are usually accompanied by the disintegration of tissue. They are quite common in the world of podiatry and they can have some difficulty healing unless medical or surgical intervention is taken. When an ulcer goes untreated, this can lead it to becoming infected which brings in a whole new set of problems for the patient.

So how do you get these? The cause of an ulcer can be varied but the main cause is impaired blood circulation. Chronic wounds and ulcers can be caused by cardiovascular issues or external pressure from a wheelchair or bed. Other causes include bacterial infections, viral infections, fungal infections or cancers.

How do I know if I have one? An ulcer is any open wound so close daily inspection will detect an ulcer either by sight or feel. If it’s infected there will be some swelling, redness, and fever with it. If neuropathy is present, then you may not feel the wound which is why a regular foot inspection is quite important.

What can a podiatrist do for this? Prevention of ulcers focuses on patient education and offloading pressure points in the foot. High pressure can break down the skin in that area and develop into an ulcer. Your podiatrist will use orthoses, shoewear modifications or padding to accommodate the foot. An x-ray may be done to evaluate the bone structure. Fixing the cause of an ulcer is an important step in the treatment plan. Ulcers constantly have their dressing changed and are debrided. Your podiatrist will want to cut away the dead tissue to allow for the healing process to continue. Some medications also help expedite growth of the wound area. If an ulcer is infected, antibiotics may be recommended as well as a hospital stay if it’s serious enough. If you have a wound in question or any other concerns with your feet, don’t hesitate to visit Drs. Grimm and Pattison at Foot Associates of Central Texas.