People who have diabetes are at risk for developing complications that include nerve damage, called neuropathy. Neuropathy can cause numbness in the limbs, especially the feet. If a person who experiences neuropathy develops a foot wound that he cannot feel, a foot ulcer---an open sore---can result. The threat of infection can make diabetic foot ulcers a serious medical matter. Several treatment methods are used to cure diabetic foot ulcers.
Casts or Boots
One of the less invasive ways to treat a diabetic foot ulcer is to reduce the amount of pressure put on the ulcer, explains medical professionals at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. People who have open wounds of this kind may need to stay off their feet for awhile. Wearing a special cast or boot may increase mobility while decreasing pressure on the ulcer.
Antibiotics
Some diabetic foot ulcers, especially larger sores, become infected and can lead to system-wide illnesses such as cellulitis. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed as a part of the management and treatment process. The "American Family Physician," a publication of the American Academy of Family Physicians, reports that a variety of antibiotic medications are used to treat foot ulcers, including amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium for mild sores, ciprofloxacin for cellulitis and ticarcillin for life-threatening infections.
Wound Care
Being vigilant about wound care is an important step in curing a diabetic foot ulcer. The sore should be cleaned gently with water and bandages should be changed frequently to prevent an infection from setting in. Mount Sinai Medical Center states that a topical medication called Regranex promotes healing and is FDA-approved for the treatment of foot ulcers.
Surgical Treatment
Diabetic foot ulcers can cause some of the tissues in the foot to die. Removing the dead tissue can help the sore heal more quickly. This surgical procedure is called debridement. Skin grafts may also be used to help heal or close an ulcer that does not respond to more conservative treatments. In some very severe cases, the infection is so extreme that the individual's life is threatened. Amputation of the affected limb is the worst-case scenario for diabetic foot ulcer treatment.
