What are the Risk Factors of Diabetic Foot?

Diabetic Foot Risk Factors: A Guide to Ulcers, Infections & Amputation

Diabetic foot refers to a range of conditions affecting an individual’s feet resulting from nerve damage (neuropathy) or peripheral artery disease. These conditions can lead to numerous severe complications, such as foot ulcers and infections, which may require amputation.

Common Risk Factors of Diabetic Foot

Here, we will discuss the common risk factors of diabetic foot, especially in adults. These include:

Neuropathy

If you have diabetes, nerve damage in your feet can cause loss of sensation. This condition makes it difficult to detect injuries or foot ulcers, making the skin condition worse. High blood sugar levels damage the small blood vessels that nourish these nerves, causing impaired sensation and function.   

Poor Blood Circulation

Poor blood circulation is a common and predominant risk factor for diabetic foot. It impairs the body’s ability to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the tissues during critical conditions. This lack of nutrients and oxygen can lead to complications of diabetic foot.

Inadequate Foot Care

Diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels in the feet, reducing the sensation and blood flow. Damaged blood vessels make it easier to develop infections and ulcers in the foot, progressing to certain serious conditions. In certain cases, it can lead to amputation if left untreated for a longer time.    

Smoking

Smoking has a significant negative impact on nerve health, blood circulation and wound healing in diabetic patients. It triggers constriction of the blood vessels in the hands and feet, leading to poor blood circulation and hindering wound healing. Additionally, continuous smoking after developing diabetes can damage nerves, worsen diabetic neuropathy and increase the risk of undetected injuries.   

Obesity

Obesity plays a crucial role in increasing the risk of developing diabetic foot complications. It worsens most of the diabetic-related health problems, like peripheral neuropathy and peripheral artery disease (PAD), making it difficult for the body to manage diabetes properly. Obesity also increases insulin resistance in diabetic patients, which can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Foot Deformities

Foot deformities are a key risk factor for diabetic foot complications, as they alter pressure distribution on your foot. This condition makes it susceptible to ulceration and injury. Deformities due to neuropathy and muscle weakness in diabetic patients. As it can create high-pressure areas, increasing the risk of ulcer development and skin breakdown.  

Hypertension

Hypertension (high blood pressure) increases the risk of diabetic foot complications as it can worsen peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is a major key factor in developing diabetic foot ulcers. High levels of blood pressure can exacerbate neuropathy, which impairs nerve function in the feet, creating difficulties in feeling pain and injuries.

Long-term Diabetes

Prolonged diabetes impairs your immune system, making it more difficult to fight off infections, such as minor infections on the feet. If an ulcer or wound develops, it spreads quickly all over the area, making it difficult to heal due to a lack of blood circulation and nerve damage. Untreated infections can lead to serious infections and complications, like sepsis (blood poisoning) and osteomyelitis (bone infection), which can lead to amputations.

Diabetic foot can cause severe damage to your feet and hands if you do not opt for proper treatment and management. Seeking proper treatment and medications can prevent you from developing these complications.