Most Common Chronic Wound

Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment

Expert mobile wound care preventing amputation through regenerative medicine and comprehensive diabetic foot care.

What Is a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound occurring on the foot of someone with diabetes. Most commonly developing on the bottom of the foot—especially areas of high pressure like the ball of the foot or under the big toe—these ulcers affect approximately 15% of people with diabetes during their lifetime. Critically, 85% of diabetes-related amputations begin with a foot ulcer that fails to heal.

Critical Statistics

  • • 14-24% of diabetic foot ulcers result in amputation
  • • 50% of amputees die within 5 years (higher mortality than many cancers)
  • • Every 20 seconds, someone loses a limb to diabetes worldwide
  • • With proper treatment, 95% of amputations are preventable

Why Diabetic Foot Ulcers Don't Heal

Diabetes creates a perfect storm preventing wound healing. Four primary mechanisms work against natural repair:

Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

Loss of protective sensation means you can't feel minor injuries. A pebble in your shoe, blister, or pressure point goes unnoticed for days or weeks, becoming a deep wound before you realize it exists. Without pain, there's no warning system alerting you to danger.

Poor Circulation (Peripheral Artery Disease)

Peripheral artery disease reduces blood flow to feet. Without adequate oxygen and nutrients delivered by blood, wounds can't generate new tissue. Healing requires robust circulation—yet diabetes damages the very vessels needed for repair.

Immune Dysfunction

High blood sugar impairs white blood cell function, reducing your body's ability to fight infection. What starts as a small wound quickly becomes infected, and infections spread rapidly in diabetic tissue due to compromised immune response.

Chronic Inflammation

Diabetes creates persistent inflammation preventing wounds from progressing through normal healing phases. The wound becomes stuck in the inflammatory phase indefinitely, unable to transition to tissue formation.

Symptoms and Stages

Early detection is critical. Check your feet daily for these warning signs:

Early Warning Signs:

  • • Drainage on socks or shoes
  • • Redness, warmth, or swelling
  • • Change in skin color or temperature
  • • Foul odor from foot
  • • Pain or throbbing (if sensation remains)
  • • Calluses with dark tissue underneath
  • • Blisters or cuts that won't heal

Emergency Signs (Seek Immediate Care):

  • • Fever or chills
  • • Black or necrotic tissue
  • • Red streaks extending from wound
  • • Exposed bone or tendon
  • • Severe pain despite neuropathy
  • • Wound rapidly enlarging
  • • Signs of sepsis

Risks if Untreated

Without professional treatment, diabetic foot ulcers progressively worsen with devastating consequences. Infection risk increases 15% per week of delayed treatment. The infection pathway typically follows this progression: superficial wound → deep tissue infection → osteomyelitis (bone infection) → sepsis or gangrene → amputation. Post-amputation, quality of life dramatically declines—50% of amputees die within 5 years, and 50% require amputation of the other leg within 2-3 years. Early intervention prevents this cascade entirely.

How Healix360 Treats Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Our comprehensive mobile approach combines proven interventions with cutting-edge regenerative medicine:

1

Sharp Debridement

Remove all dead tissue, callus, and biofilm to expose healthy bleeding wound bed. Performed at every visit until wound is clean. Reduces bacterial load by 90% and restarts healing. Learn about debridement.

2

Offloading Devices

Total contact casts or CAM boots eliminate pressure on ulcer. Every step delays healing—offloading is non-negotiable. Studies show 90% healing with proper offloading vs 30% without. Offloading options.

3

Infection Management

Wound cultures identify bacteria. Targeted antibiotics plus antimicrobial dressings control infection. Aggressive treatment prevents spread to bone. Infection protocols.

4

Regenerative Biologics

Amniotic membrane grafts and skin substitutes for ulcers failing standard care after 30 days. Achieve 95% closure within 6-8 weeks. Skin substitute options.

5

Blood Sugar Optimization

Coordinate with your endocrinologist to achieve HbA1c <7%. Wounds won't heal with uncontrolled diabetes. We help you achieve glycemic control alongside wound treatment.

What a Home Visit Includes

Our mobile wound care specialists bring hospital-quality treatment directly to you. Each 45-60 minute visit includes: comprehensive wound assessment with measurements and photography, sharp debridement if indicated, advanced dressing application, vascular assessment (pulses, circulation check), sensory testing for neuropathy, offloading device fitting or adjustment, blood sugar review and optimization recommendations, supplies for dressing changes between visits, and detailed documentation for Medicare and your physician. We coordinate all care with your primary doctor and endocrinologist.

When to Seek Urgent Care

Go to the emergency room immediately if you experience: fever above 100.4°F, red streaks extending from wound, rapid wound enlargement (growing visibly day-to-day), exposed bone or tendon visible in wound bed, severe pain suddenly developing despite neuropathy, black or purple discoloration spreading around wound, or confusion and altered mental status (signs of sepsis). These indicate medical emergencies requiring immediate hospital intervention.

Insurance Coverage Overview

Medicare Part B covers 100% of diabetic foot ulcer treatment including mobile visits, debridement, advanced dressings, skin substitutes, offloading devices, and therapeutic shoes. Medicare pays 80% after the annual $240 deductible, you pay 20% coinsurance (typically $0 if you have Medigap). Learn more about Medicare Part B coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Don't Wait—Diabetic Foot Ulcers Are Medical Emergencies

Every day of delay increases amputation risk. Get expert treatment at home within 24-48 hours.

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