You Asked, We Answered! Find Information to Top Podiatry Questions

When your pain leaves you immobile and dependent on others, it’s normal that you have questions and lots of them! Check out our FAQ to get answers to some of the top questions people have about foot and ankle pain in Ohio.

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How can I tell if I have Charcot foot?
Charcot foot is an extremely serious complication of diabetes in which joints and bones break, dislocate, collapse and even disintegrate, leading to severe deformity and loss of function.

Charcot foot usually only happens alongside a case of severe neuropathy. Due to nerve damage, you don’t feel the pain of the initial injury, so you continue to walk or run and make the problem worse.

Since those with severe neuropathy can’t rely on pain to flag an early case of Charcot foot, you’ll need to carefully monitor your feet for the early warning signs, including:
- Skin that is red or warm to touch (compared to an unaffected foot or other area)
- Swelling of the foot despite the lack of an obvious initial injury
- Pain and discomfort may be present, depending on your level of sensation in the lower extremities.
If you have diabetes and neuropathy and detect any or all of these warning signs, don’t take any unnecessary risks. An X-ray at our office can confirm if there has been any damage to the underlying bone. Please request an appointment with Family Foot & Ankle Center online or give us a call at (888) 689-3317 today.
How Does Diabetes Affect my Feet?

Diabetes affects your feet and lower limbs in two main, over-arching ways. First, it causes nerve damage, which can lead to numbness and loss of sensitivity in your legs. Second, it reduces your blood flow, especially to peripheral arteries and your extremities. This limits your body’s ability to close wounds and heal itself.

These two issues are a devastating combination. Without sensation, you may not realize your skin is burning, or you have a blister, or even have an open wound or bone fracture. In addition, without proper circulation, even minor cuts can fester and become infected. That’s why careful diabetic foot care, including daily self-examinations and regular visits to Family Foot and Ankle Center, is crucial for those with diabetes.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us today. We have six convenient locations: two in Cincinnati, one each in Finneytown, Hamilton, and Fairfield, OH, and one in Florence, KY. Dial (513) 728-4800 in Ohio or (859) 282-1572 in Kentucky. Let us help you keep your feet healthy.