Conditions · Diabetes complications
Diabetic foot ulcers
Diabetic foot ulcers are slow-healing wounds on the feet, arising from a combination of nerve damage (reduced sensation) and reduced blood flow, and they need structured, prompt care to heal and prevent complications.
Symptoms
- A break in the skin on the foot that isn't healing
- Drainage or an unusual odor from a wound
- Redness, warmth, or swelling around a wound
- In advanced cases, visible tissue changes or exposed deeper tissue
Causes & risk factors
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (reduced ability to feel injuries)
- Peripheral vascular disease (reduced blood flow slows healing)
- Poorly-fitting footwear or unnoticed trauma
- Long-duration or poorly-controlled diabetes
How it’s diagnosed
Diagnosis is clinical — a wound examination alongside an assessment of nerve function and blood flow to understand why the wound isn't healing on its own.
How it’s treated
Structured wound care, offloading pressure from the area, infection control where present, and addressing the underlying nerve and circulation issues. See the diabetic foot ulcer wound care treatment page for what a course of care typically involves.
When to seek care
- Any new wound on the foot, especially if you have reduced sensation
- Signs of infection (redness, warmth, swelling, discharge, fever)
- A wound that hasn't started improving within a few days of home care
FAQ
Why do diabetic foot ulcers happen even from minor injuries?
Reduced sensation from neuropathy means minor injuries can go unnoticed, while reduced blood flow from vascular disease slows healing — together they let small wounds become serious ones.
Sources
- American Diabetes Association, Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026
Medical disclaimer: Content on this page is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Outcomes vary between patients. Boston Diabetes Center is outpatient / day-care specialty centre with an on-site diagnostic lab and pharmacy — no inpatient beds; imaging and inpatient care are coordinated through partner facilities.