PRP & Diabetic Foot Care Specialist

Spring Branch Podiatry, PLLC

Podiatrist Foot & Ankle Surgeons & Ankle and Foot Surgeons located in Houston, TX

People with diabetes need specialized foot care to prevent serious complications, including gangrene and amputation. Randall L. Beckman, DPM, FACFAS, and the team at Spring Branch Podiatry, PLLC in Houston, Texas, offer the most advanced techniques in diabetic foot care and limb salvage, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. Call the office today to learn more about PRP and diabetic foot care.

PRP & Diabetic Foot Care Q&A

How does diabetes affect my feet?

Diabetes can pose a danger to your feet in several ways. Uncontrolled high blood sugar levels can damage your blood vessels and nerves. This reduces blood flow to your feet and legs, so wounds heal more slowly than usual, or not at all. 

Nerve damage may lead to diabetic neuropathy, which can cause a lack of sensation in your feet. That means a wound or injury can go unnoticed for a long time, increasing the risk of infection and further damage. 

Due to poor circulation, diabetic foot wounds often escalate rapidly, leading to serious infections that may require amputation. Poor blood flow also weakens the bones in your feet, making them more susceptible to fractures. People who can’t feel pain from a broken foot may continue to walk on it, leading to more severe fractures and dislocations. 

What are common diabetic foot problems?

The team at Spring Branch Podiatry, PLLC specializes in advanced diabetic foot care. They treat many conditions, including diabetic foot ulcers and Charcot arthropathy. 

An ulcer is an open wound that doesn’t heal. Charcot arthropathy happens when a fracture goes unnoticed and untreated for too long, causing deformity.

If you have diabetes, it’s critical to visually inspect all parts of your feet every day. Call Spring Branch Podiatry, PLLC as soon as you notice anything unusual, such as redness, bruising, or a wound. 

What is PRP and how is it used in diabetic foot care?

The team at Spring Branch Podiatry, PLLC uses innovative treatments to help patients with diabetes avoid amputation as much as possible. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one such treatment. It uses healing components from your own blood.

PRP is a concentrated solution of the substances in your blood that promote tissue repair. Your podiatrist may apply PRP topically to a wound, or they may inject it into the injured area. 

What other treatments are involved in diabetic foot care?

The team at Spring Branch Podiatry, PLLC always uses the most conservative approach to treatment. Depending on your specific condition, nonsurgical treatment for diabetic foot problems may include:

  • Custom orthotics
  • Diabetic shoes
  • Casting or splinting
  • Physical therapy
  • PRP therapy

In some cases, such as a severe Charcot deformity, surgery may be necessary. The team performs complex Charcot reconstruction and limb salvage.

For comprehensive diabetic foot care, including PRP, call Spring Branch Podiatry, PLLC today.