MD Podiatrist Discusses Diabetic Foot Complications

Serious foot conditions can be part of diabetes. For instance, nerve damage-or neuropathy-is a loss of sensation that can occur due to uncontrolled diabetes, says Dan Michaels, DPM. “[Neuropathy] can then result in calluses, which can lead to diabetic ulcers,” she explains. In severe cases, this can also cause foot infections that may even lead to amputations if not managed in a timely manner. 
 
Other foot problems caused by diabetes can include hammertoe deformities due to an imbalance with tendon and nerve muscle, poor circulation that may cause irreversible damage such as gangrene, and skin disorders like cracked skin or fungal infections due to an immunocompromised state, says Dr. Michaels.