DRY SKIN Diabetes can cause peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage to the feet. Most think of feeling loss when they hear the term neuropathy. However, there are other forms of neuropathy. An autonomic neuropathy causes damage to the nerves that control sweating. Sweat is an important way of controlling moisture balance of the skin. If there is not enough sweat on the feet then the skin will dry out and start to crack. Expert

FOOT INFECTIONS What is an infection? An infection occurs when germs multiply and cause damage to tissue. Bacteria cause infections. In order for a foot infection to develop there has to be an opening for the germs or bacteria to get into the foot. In other words there needs to be a break in the skin or an ulcer or a wound. Not all wounds will get infected, but the longer a wound remains non-healed the greater the chance of developing an infection. People with diabetes are more prone to developing wound infections especially those with poor blood sugar control. Foot infections can have serious consequences especially if they are not recognized and treated in a timely manner. Infection can cause serious injury to the affected part and thus needs to be treated as early as possible. Sometimes antibiotics and wound care is all that are necessary for treatment. In more serious or advanced infections surgery may also be necessary. Expert

DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS A foot ulcer is a skin sore or wound. Ulcers can occur on any part of the foot but they are more common on the sole. The skin functions as a wall that surrounds and protects the foot from harmful germs known as bacteria. A foot ulcer is like a crack in that protective wall. Once a crack occurs the foot is prone to invasion from harmful bacteria that can cause infection. The longer an ulcer remains open and untreated the greater the risk of infection. Expert

How long after surgery will my stitches be removed? What may cause my surgery to be canceled? How long will it take for me to recover from my surgery? When can I start driving again? When can I return to work? Will the screws in my foot trigger the metal detector at the airport? Expert

Infection can be caused by a number of different agents. Athleteﾒs foot is an infection of the skin caused by a fungus. Warts are caused by a viral infection of the skin. When most people think about infections they are thinking about infection caused by bacteria. There are numerous types of bacterial infection. Infection generally requires a break in the skin from a cut, abrasion, puncture wound or ulceration. The most common infection is caused two bacteria, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Both of these infections cause progressive tissue damage of varying degrees. People with diabetes can develop infections by several bacteria at the same time.

A neuroma is the swelling of nerve that is a result of a compression or trauma. They are often described as nerve tumors. However, they are not in the purest sense a tumor. They are a swelling within the nerve that may result in permanent nerve damage.

Ulcerations, infections and gangrene are the most common foot and ankle problems that the patient with diabetes must face. As a result, thousands of diabetic patients require amputations each year. Foot infections are the most common reason for hospitalization of diabetic patients. Patient Provider

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The most common cause of yellowed, thick and /or deformed toenails is a fungal infection of the toenail. The fungus that infects the nail, most commonly, is the same fungus that causes athletes foot. Patient Provider

Definition Ganglion cyst removal, or ganglionectomy, is the removal of a fluid-filled sac on the skin of the wrist, finger, or sole of the foot. The cyst is attached to a tendon or a joint through its fibers and contains synovial fluid, which is the clear liquid that lubricates the joints and tendons of the body. The surgical procedure is performed in a doc tor's office. It entails aspiration, or draining fluid from the cyst with a large hypodermic needle. The cyst may also be excised (removed by cutting). Encyclopedia of Surgery: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers Expert

Gangrene of the skin is associated with the loss of blood supply of a particular area. In some instances, it is caused by bacterial infection of an open sore or ulceration.

Gangrene of the skin is associated with the loss of blood supply of a particular area. In some instances, it is caused by bacterial infection of an open sore or ulceration. The most common form of gangrene develops in the feet of people with diabetes who also have associated loss of circulation in the feet and toes.

Stiffness of the big toe joint is termed Hallux Limitus. Hallux is the medical term for the big toe. When the big toe possesses no motion, it is termed Hallux Rigidus.

Hallux Rigidus is a degenerative-type arthritis condition that affects the large joint at the base of the great toe. A degenerative arthritis is a condition which results from wear and tear on the joint surface over time. The condition may follow an injury to the joint or, in some cases, may arise without a well defined injury. Highly Reputable

Definition Hammer, claw, and mallet toe surgery refers to a series of surgical procedures performed to correct deformed toes. Purpose There are three main forms of toe abnormalities in the human foot: hammer toes, claw toes, and mallet toes. A hammer toe, also called contracted toe, bone spur, rotated toe, or deformed toe, is a toe curled as the result of a bend in the middle joint. It may be either flexible or rigid, and may affect any of the four smaller toes. The joints in the toe buckle due to tightening of the ligaments and tendons, which points the toe upward at an angle. The patient's shoes then put pressure on the prominent portion of the toe, leading to inflammation, bursitis, corns, and calluses. Mallet toes and claw toes are similar to hammer toes, except that different joints on the toe are affected. The joint at the end of the toe buckles in a mallet toe, while a claw toe involves abnormal positions of all three joints in the toe. Encyclopedia of Surgery: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers Expert