Key Takeaways
- General foot care isn't enough for people with diabetes because high blood sugar creates unique complications including reduced blood flow, nerve damage, delayed wound healing, and structural foot changes.
- Diabetic neuropathy causes loss of feeling in feet, making it difficult to notice injuries until they become serious infections or ulcers that require specialized treatment.
- Specialized diabetic foot care includes routine exams, vascular assessments, neurological testing, customized footwear and orthotics, advanced wound care, and patient education for daily foot health management.
- Diabetic foot specialists provide expert treatment for chronic wounds, ulcers, infections, Charcot foot deformities, and conditions complicated by poor circulation that general foot care providers may not have the tools or urgency to treat effectively.
- Early intervention and prevention are essential for avoiding serious complications like infection or amputation through proper monitoring and personalized treatment plans.
At Paragon Podiatry, we specialize in diabetic foot treatment that goes beyond general care. With locations in Manhattan, Long Island, and the Bronx, our board-certified foot and ankle surgeons offer customized, preventative, and advanced care plans designed to meet the unique challenges of diabetes-related foot issues. Whether you’re managing nerve damage, circulation problems, or recovering from a wound, our team is here to support your long-term health. Schedule your diabetic foot care appointment with us today.
Let’s take a closer look at how diabetic foot care differs from general foot care—and why that difference matters.
How Diabetes Changes the Way You Care for Your Feet
General foot care typically includes routine maintenance: trimming nails, removing calluses, treating corns, or managing minor injuries. For most people, the skin heals normally, and circulation supports recovery.
In contrast, people with diabetes face unique foot complications that require special attention. These include:
- Reduced blood flow: High blood sugar can narrow or damage blood vessels in the legs and feet, making it harder for wounds to heal and increasing infection risk.
- Nerve damage: Diabetic neuropathy may cause tingling, burning, or loss of feeling, so patients often don’t notice injuries until they become more serious.
- Delayed wound healing: Cuts or blisters may not heal properly, leading to infections or foot ulcers.
- Structural changes: Over time, diabetic nerve damage can lead to foot deformities, which place excess pressure on certain areas and increase ulcer risk.
These diabetes-specific complications are why specialized diabetic foot care is essential, not optional.
Tailored Treatment Plans for Diabetic Patients
The importance of diabetic foot care lies in prevention and early intervention. At Paragon Podiatry, our diabetic care plans are different from general foot care because they include:
- Routine diabetic foot exams to monitor skin, circulation, and nerve health
- Vascular assessments to check blood flow and identify early signs of poor circulation
- Neurological testing to assess for loss of sensation or developing foot problems
- Customized footwear and orthotics to reduce pressure and prevent foot ulcers
- Advanced wound care techniques for existing ulcers or slow-healing wounds
- Patient education to empower you with the tools and knowledge to keep your feet healthy daily
These measures allow us to detect problems early before they lead to serious complications like infection or amputation.
When You Need a Diabetic Foot Specialist—Not Just a Generalist
If you’re searching for a “diabetic foot specialist near me,” you likely need more than basic foot care. Diabetic foot complications, such as foot ulcers, poor wound healing, and dead or infected tissue require intervention from podiatrists trained in both medical and surgical diabetic foot management.
At Paragon Podiatry, our board-certified foot and ankle surgeons have extensive experience treating:
- Chronic wounds and diabetic foot ulcers
- Infections from reduced blood flow
- Charcot foot and diabetes-related deformities
- Diabetic nerve damage requires long-term monitoring
- Wounds complicated by poor circulation or delayed healing
General foot care providers may not have the tools or the urgency to treat these conditions effectively.
Why Choose Paragon Podiatry for Specialized Diabetic Foot Care?
Paragon Podiatry is committed to delivering specialized diabetic foot care in NYC with compassion and precision. Whether you need ongoing monitoring, a second opinion, or treatment for a chronic issue, our team provides:
- Personalized care plans for every stage of diabetes
- Minimally invasive solutions to preserve foot health
- Custom orthotics and diabetic shoe fittings
- Same-day appointments for urgent diabetic wound care
- Accessible care at offices in Manhattan, Long Island, and the Bronx
We go beyond managing symptoms—we help protect your mobility and long-term health.
Get Specialized Diabetic Foot Care That Makes a Difference
General foot care isn’t enough when you’re living with diabetes. The risks are higher, and the stakes are greater. At Paragon Podiatry, we offer expert preventive care designed to address diabetic foot complications before they escalate.
Call us or request your appointment online to meet with a trusted diabetic foot specialist near you. We’re here to help you walk safely, confidently, and pain-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I see a podiatrist if I have diabetes?
If you have diabetes, you should see a podiatrist for comprehensive foot exams at least once a year, even if you're not experiencing any problems. However, if you have a history of foot ulcers, neuropathy, poor circulation, or other diabetes-related foot complications, you may need more frequent visits—typically every three to six months. Regular check-ups allow your podiatrist to monitor changes in sensation, circulation, and skin health, catching potential problems before they become serious. If you notice any cuts, blisters, discoloration, or pain, schedule an appointment immediately rather than waiting for your routine visit.
What's the difference between diabetic neuropathy and poor circulation?
Diabetic neuropathy and poor circulation are two different complications that often occur together in people with diabetes, but they affect your feet in distinct ways. Neuropathy is nerve damage that causes tingling, burning, numbness, or complete loss of feeling in your feet, making it difficult to detect injuries. Poor circulation, also called peripheral arterial disease, occurs when narrowed or damaged blood vessels reduce blood flow to your feet, slowing wound healing and increasing infection risk. While neuropathy affects your ability to feel problems, poor circulation affects your body's ability to heal them. Both require specialized diabetic foot care to prevent serious complications.
Can diabetic foot ulcers be prevented?
Yes, most diabetic foot ulcers can be prevented with proper care and attention. Prevention strategies include daily foot inspections for cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling, keeping blood sugar levels well-controlled, wearing properly fitted diabetic shoes and custom orthotics, moisturizing feet daily (but not between toes), trimming toenails carefully or having them trimmed by a podiatrist, never walking barefoot, and attending regular podiatric check-ups. Additionally, address any foot deformities or calluses promptly, as these create pressure points that can lead to ulcers. If you notice any signs of skin breakdown, seek immediate medical attention.
Why is foot care so critical for people with diabetes?
Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations in the United States, and most of these amputations are preventable with proper foot care. High blood sugar damages nerves and blood vessels in your feet over time, creating a dangerous combination where you can't feel injuries and your body can't heal them effectively. A minor cut or blister that would heal quickly in most people can become a serious infection requiring hospitalization or amputation in someone with diabetes. Specialized diabetic foot care focuses on prevention, early detection, and aggressive treatment to protect your feet, maintain your mobility, and preserve your quality of life.
What should I do if I notice a wound on my diabetic foot?
If you discover any wound, cut, blister, or open sore on your foot, contact a diabetic foot specialist immediately—don't wait to see if it heals on its own. In the meantime, keep the wound clean and dry, cover it with a sterile bandage, avoid putting weight on the affected foot if possible, and never try to treat it yourself with over-the-counter medications or home remedies. Diabetic wounds require professional assessment and treatment because they're prone to infection and can deteriorate rapidly. At Paragon Podiatry, we offer same-day appointments for urgent diabetic wound care to ensure you receive prompt, expert treatment.
Are diabetic shoes really necessary, or are they just a recommendation?
Diabetic shoes are more than just a recommendation—they're a crucial part of preventing foot complications for many people with diabetes. These specialized shoes are designed with extra depth, seamless interiors, cushioned insoles, and wider toe boxes to reduce pressure points and friction that can lead to ulcers. If you have neuropathy, foot deformities, a history of ulcers, or poor circulation, diabetic shoes combined with custom orthotics can significantly reduce your risk of developing serious foot problems. Medicare and many insurance plans cover diabetic shoes for qualifying patients, and your podiatrist can evaluate whether you would benefit from them and provide a prescription if needed.
