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Our Podiatrists Provide High-Level Care to Keep Diabetic Feet Healthy

Expert Diabetic Foot Care to Protect Your Health and Comfort

If you're living with diabetes, even minor foot issues can turn into serious complications. Tingling, numbness, slow-healing wounds, or changes in skin color can all signal the need for prompt medical attention.

At Canyon Foot + Ankle Specialists in Burley and Twin Falls, our experienced podiatrists offer specialized diabetic foot care to help you stay active, avoid complications, and protect your long-term health. From routine checkups to advanced wound care and prevention strategies, we’re here to support your well-being, every step of the way.

Whether you're managing early symptoms or need ongoing care, our team provides personalized treatment to reduce risks and improve comfort.

Reach out now to our Burley office at at 208-678-2727, or call us in Twin Falls at 208-733-0436. Appointments are also available for request through our online portal.

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When Should Diabetic Patients See a Podiatrist?

Regular visits to a podiatrist are one of the most critical—and often overlooked—steps in maintaining diabetic foot health. While daily at-home care is important, routine professional evaluations can catch minor issues before they become serious complications.

A podiatrist can detect early signs of diabetic-related conditions like peripheral neuropathy, a common nerve disorder that worsens over time if left untreated. Early intervention is key to managing symptoms and preventing long-term damage.

Signs It’s Time to See a Podiatrist in Idaho:

  • Burning sensations in the heel, ankle, ball, or midfoot

  • Numbness or loss of feeling in the toes or feet

  • Tingling or “pins and needles” sensations

  • Sudden, sharp, or shooting pains

  • Trouble sensing hot or cold temperatures

  • Skin discoloration or unusual color changes

  • Cracked, dry skin—especially on the heels

  • Persistent pain or pressure in any part of the foot

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t wait. Early treatment can prevent serious complications, including infections, ulcers, and even amputation.

What Is a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

Diabetic foot ulcers are a serious complication of diabetes and often develop without causing much pain—especially in patients with neuropathy (nerve damage). Early detection is crucial to prevent infection, tissue damage, and even potential amputation.

Early Signs of a Diabetic Ulcer

If you have diabetes, watch carefully for any of the following symptoms:

  • Drainage or stains (blood, fluid, or pus) in your socks or shoes

  • Redness or inflammation in a localized area of the foot

  • Swelling that doesn’t go away

  • Skin irritation or breakdown

  • Foul odor coming from the foot, even if there’s no visible wound

  • Skin that feels unusually warm to the touch

Signs of a More Advanced Ulcer

If the ulcer worsens, more serious signs may develop, including:

  • Eschar – black or darkened tissue surrounding the ulcer, indicating dead or dying skin

  • Gangrene – tissue death caused by infection or lack of blood flow; may appear black, blue, or greenish

  • Foul-smelling discharge, often with a thick or pus-like texture

  • Persistent or increasing pain, or paradoxically, no pain at all due to nerve damage

  • Numbness or tingling, especially if accompanied by visible tissue damage

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Podiatrist performing diabetic foot check

You need your feet for almost every activity in your life. It’s probably a safe bet that you want to keep them—and keep them working correctly—for as long as possible.

That means if you have diabetes, regular foot care should be near the very top of your to-do list.diabetic nails

Diabetes puts feet at significant risk of injury, wounds, nerve damage, infections, and many other problems. And diabetic wounds are by far the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations in America today.

Fortunately, almost all of the worst complications can be managed or prevented successfully if you prioritize home and professional preventative care.

How Does Diabetes Endanger My Feet?

Over a period of time, elevated blood sugar levels can cause damage and distress all over the body. In particular, there are two major consequences of uncontrolled blood sugar that contribute to most major diabetic foot problems:

  1. Peripheral nerve damage. With weakened nerves in your legs and feet, you may not be able to sense an injury until it’s too late. Balance, coordination, muscle strength, and other functions may also be affected.
  2. Poor circulation. Low circulation in the feet means oxygen and nutrients can’t get to the feet as effectively. Your body has a harder time closing wounds, fighting infections, and healing injuries.

As you can probably see, this is a dangerous combination. Even “minor” cuts and bruises might develop into a significant wound. You can’t feel the pain, so you don’t notice the injury and continue to walk on it. Your body can’t heal it, so it festers. A few days (or even hours) later, you have a big problem.

How Can I Protect My Feet If I Have Diabetes?

Effective diabetic foot care relies on mainly three things: daily foot checks, regular podiatric checkups and care, and immediate treatment for any developing wounds or injuries.

Daily Foot Checks

If you have diabetes, you should carefully inspect both feet at least once per day for any signs of trouble. Do this at a regular time each day, ideally with feet that you’ve recently cleaned and dried. If you can’t see your entire foot on your own, use a hand mirror or ask for help.

Make note of any redness, swelling, bruises, cuts, damaged toenails, dry and cracked skin—in other words, any signs of injury, damage, or wear and tear. Feel your feet with your hands as well—you may notice bumps, temperature fluctuations, etc.

Any trouble spots that do not improve within a few days or get worse should be evaluated by a foot and ankle specialist.

Regular Podiatric Checkups

Even if you don’t notice any problems or you aren’t experiencing the symptoms of neuropathy, you should still get a regular diabetic foot checkup at least once per year. During this time, your podiatrist can:

  • Test your nerve and circulatory health. Damage to nerves and circulation isn’t always reversible, and symptoms may not become noticeable until damage is extensive. Regular screenings help you identify and address problems before they start to affect your day-to-day life.
  • Offer preventative care options. A new pair of diabetic shoes or orthotics, for example, may allow you to continue living an active lifestyle while minimizing the risk of foot injury.
  • Address emerging issues. This can include basic maintenance care, such as caring for skin and toenails, or it might mean addressing more serious issues like bunions, hammertoes, or wounds.

Prompt Treatment

If you ever do spot a festering sore, significant swelling, or the early stages of a bony deformity during your foot checks, don’t risk waiting it out. Get help immediately. Few things are as tragic as being forced to amputate when earlier detection and treatment could have enabled a full return to health.

Dr. Pilling and Dr. DeVries at Canyon Foot + Ankle are experienced foot and ankle experts skilled at evaluating diabetic feet and providing emergency care, including in-office wound care (assisted by laser treatment where appropriate) and reconstructive surgery for diabetic foot deformities.

If you are currently concerned about your diabetic feet—or you’re just past-due for your annual checkup—give us a call today at the office closest to you: in Twin Falls, call (208) 733-0436 and in Burley, call (208) 678-2727.

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Contact Us

Canyon Foot + Ankle is convenient to patients throughout the Magic Valley. Complete the contact form to schedule an appointment with a skilled podiatrist at our Twin Falls or Burley locations. 

Offices

Canyon Foot & Ankle Specialists
  • 2190 Village Park Avenue Suite 100
    Twin Falls, ID 83301
  • Phone: 208-733-0436
  • Fax: 208-733-0438
  • Location Details
  • Directions
Canyon Foot + Ankle Specialists
  • 382 Overland Ave.
    Burley, ID 83318
  • Phone: 208-678-2727
  • Fax: 208-678-1477
  • Location Details
  • Directions

Contact Us

Canyon Foot + Ankle is convenient to patients throughout the Magic Valley. Complete the contact form to schedule an appointment with a skilled podiatrist at our Twin Falls or Burley locations. 
Canyon Foot & Ankle Specialists 2190 Village Park Avenue Suite 100
Twin Falls, ID 83301
Phone: 208-733-0436 Fax: 208-733-0438 Office Info Get Directions
Canyon Foot + Ankle Specialists 382 Overland Ave.
Burley, ID 83318
Phone: 208-678-2727 Fax: 208-678-1477 Office Info Get Directions
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