Diabetic foot is a serious and potentially life-altering complication of diabetes. It often begins with a gradual loss of sensation in the feet, leading to unnoticed injuries, hard-to-heal ulcers, and in extreme cases, tissue necrosis.

Careful hygiene and daily inspection of your feet are essential to catching problems early and preventing more serious outcomes.

What Is Diabetic Foot?

Diabetic foot is a syndrome caused by long-term complications of diabetes, resulting in structural and functional damage to the foot and ankle. This damage is often linked to two key issues: neuropathy (nerve damage) and peripheral arterial disease (reduced blood circulation).

There are two primary forms:

Neuropathic diabetic foot: Caused by chronic high blood sugar damaging the nerves, leading to a loss of feeling, especially to temperature, touch, and pain. It also changes the way pressure is distributed on the foot, increasing the risk of ulcers.

Neuro-ischemic diabetic foot: Here, both nerve and blood vessel damage are present. Poor circulation deprives the foot of oxygen and nutrients, making the tissue vulnerable to necrosis and infection.

Causes and Underlying Mechanisms

The root causes are both direct results of diabetes: neuropathy and arterial insufficiency. Type 1 diabetes, which often begins early in life, results from an autoimmune attack on insulin-producing cells. Even with insulin therapy and proper diet, long-term high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels, particularly in the legs and feet.