Although often incorrectly attributed to Chinese philosopher Confucius, the classic quote “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” was actually coined by his contemporary Laozi (also known as Lao Tzu). There is profound wisdom in this statement and it should remind any of us living here in Nassau County, NY that little things add up to make a big difference. This has an endless number of applications in life, but we definitely see its inherent truth when it comes to diabetic wound care and the steps necessary for healing.
When it comes to diabetic wound care, there are two different facets worth addressing – treatment and prevention. Treatment for diabetic wounds is best performed at the earliest possible stages. If wounds are left untreated for an extended period of time, it poses the risk of a potentially-dangerous infection.
Treating a diabetic foot ulcer or wound starts with “off-loading,” which is simply removing pressure from the affected area. Dressings and medication applied to the ulcer can decrease the odds of infection setting in. To further help prevent infection, the ulcer needs to be cleaned and re-bandaged on a daily basis. Depending on the status of the wound, dead skin and tissue may need to be removed in a procedure known as “debridement.”
Preventing diabetic wounds from developing in the first place is the best practice. Guidelines for doing so include regular appointments with our office, daily foot inspections, always wearing footwear (even indoors), and seeking immediate help upon discovering anything unusual or sustaining an injury.
At Foot Specialists of Long Island, nothing is more important than the health of our patients. Our goal is to keep you and your loved ones safe through the practice of effective foot care. When it comes to our patients who have diabetes, this means taking the appropriate measures to prevent diabetic wounds from developing in the first place. When they do happen, though, it is essential to begin the healing process as soon as possible and this means calling us at (516) 804-9038 and scheduling the earliest appointment at our Massapequa, NY office.
