Why You Should Never Ignore a Leg Ulcer with Diabetes

Every year, around 160,000 Americans with diabetes undergo a lower limb amputation (LLA). In fact, 80% of non-traumatic lower limb amputations are connected to diabetes complications, such as heightened risk of vascular disease and lower limb ulcers.

It gets worse. Diabetes plus leg ulcers can actually lead to fatal results: someone who has had an LLA has a worse chance of five-year survival than a person with breast or colorectal cancer or coronary artery disease.  

So, what should you do if you’re diabetic and notice an annoying foot or leg ulcer that just won’t heal? According to Dr. Shawn Ahmed at Apex Endovascular in Fort Collins, Colorado, you should see a vascular specialist immediately for any leg wounds that don’t respond quickly to treatment. 

Causes of leg ulcers in diabetics

Diabetics frequently suffer from high blood sugar (glucose) levels. Over time, this can cause damage to your nerves and blood vessels, lessening blood flow. The worst affected parts of your body are your extremities, including your hands, legs, and feet.

Lessened blood flow and reduced oxygenation makes it hard for even the smallest wounds to heal and increases the chances of infection. A tiny cut or scrape can quickly turn into a leg ulcer, since nerve damage means you can’t feel pain the way you normally would.

Diabetes is also linked to a vascular condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD), which lessens blood flow to your legs and feet, increasing your risk of treatment-resistant leg wounds and ulcers.

Leg ulcer prevention

If you’re diabetic, you should regularly check your legs and feet for any signs of cuts or abrasions. Even a scratched insect bite can turn into a slow-to-heal wound. If you’re properly treating any areas with broken skin but they don’t improve after two weeks (or get rapidly worse), you should seek specialized care.

Signs of leg ulcers

Signs that you could be at high risk of developing a leg ulcer include:

• Swelling (edema) in your lower legs
• Scaly, dry, bumpy, hardened, or itchy skin
• Leg pain after standing for a while
• Bruised-looking legs (red, blue, or purplish skin)

If you have a leg wound, signs that it’s infected and turning into an ulcer include:

• Redness, warmth, or swelling around the wound
• A foul-smelling discharge
• Pain so bad you can’t sleep or stand
• Fever or chills

If you’re experiencing any of the above, it’s time to get help.

Treatment for leg wounds

Dr. Ahmed offers multiple treatment options for leg ulcers. He works closely with the leading facilities in the Denver area, ensuring that proper wound care procedures are followed, like wound cleaning, debridement, dressing, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

If there are additional vascular issues, Dr. Ahmed can perform minimally invasive surgery to correct the root cause of many leg wounds, improving blood flow and lower limb health. 

To learn more about the connection between diabetes, leg ulcers, and amputation risks, schedule a consultation with the team at Apex Endovascular by calling 970-508-8439 or by booking an appointment online.