Understanding Diabetic Foot Complications

By Dr. JaeHyun Kim, DPM – Ace Foot and Ankle Podiatrists, San Francisco Bay Area

Diabetes affects millions of Americans, and its impact on foot health can be devastating if not properly managed. As a podiatrist treating patients across the San Francisco Bay Area, I often see individuals suffering from diabetic foot complications—a preventable yet dangerous set of conditions that require early detection and expert care.

What Causes Diabetic Foot Complications?

Diabetes often leads to two major foot-related issues:

  1. Peripheral Neuropathy
    Loss of sensation in the feet makes it difficult to feel cuts, blisters, or pressure sores. Minor injuries go unnoticed and untreated.

  2. Poor Circulation (Peripheral Arterial Disease)
    Diabetes impairs blood flow, which reduces the ability to heal even the smallest of wounds. This greatly increases the risk of infection and amputation.

  3. Foot Deformities & Skin Changes
    Diabetes can cause changes in the shape of your feet, dry skin, or foot ulcers, which create the perfect storm for serious infections.

Common Diabetic Foot Complications

  • Foot Ulcers: Open sores, often under pressure points like the ball of the foot or heel

  • Infections: Minor wounds can develop into cellulitis or osteomyelitis (bone infection)

  • Charcot Foot: Weakening of the foot bones causing deformities

  • Amputations: Severe infections or gangrene may require surgical removal of toes, foot, or even the leg

Treatment Options by Dr. Kim, DPM

At Ace Foot and Ankle, we provide comprehensive diabetic foot care:

  • Wound Debridement: Removing infected or dead tissue to promote healing

  • Custom Orthotics: Offload pressure from high-risk areas

  • Infection Control: Oral or IV antibiotics, culture-specific treatments

  • Surgical Intervention: In advanced cases, minor or major amputations may be necessary

  • Vascular Referrals: For patients with severe PAD requiring angioplasty or bypass

Prevention Is the Best Medicine

Dr. Kim emphasizes that daily foot care is the most powerful tool you have.

Diabetic Foot Prevention Tips:

  • Check your feet daily for cuts, blisters, swelling, or redness

  • Keep your feet clean and dry

  • Never walk barefoot

  • Wear diabetic shoes and moisture-wicking socks

  • Schedule regular foot exams (at least once every 3–6 months)

  • Manage blood glucose effectively

Serving the San Francisco Bay Area

If you have diabetes, don’t wait until complications arise. Dr. JaeHyun Kim, DPM, at Ace Foot and Ankle Podiatrists, provides expert, compassionate foot care to patients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, including Sunnyvale, Oakland, and San Francisco.