One of the most severe consequences of poor diabetes management is the potential for lower extremity amputation. The risks of this and other foot-related complications can be avoided if you include a highly trained podiatrist in your care team. In fact, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association, a podiatrist can reduce the risk of lower limb amputation by 85% and the risk of hospitalization by 24%.

When left untreated, diabetes can inflict significant damage to your feet, including nerve damage, restricted blood flow, numbness, gangrene, sores, deformities and ulcers.

Oftentimes, the warning signs of foot-related diabetic complications go unnoticed. That’s just one of the reasons regular appointments with a podiatrist are essential in managing the disease.

After a proper evaluation, a podiatrist can help you mitigate your risks for nerve damage and other complications. Prevention is the key to avoiding these complications, including limb amputation.

Dominic E. DiPierro, DPM, FACFAS is a board-certified podiatric surgeon who treats patients from Watson Clinic Bartow Building A and Watson Clinic Highlands locations. Call 863-680-7214 to schedule an appointment with Dr. DiPierro or any member of Watson Clinic's Podiatric Surgery department.