Diabetic Heel Pain

Diabetes is a condition marked by too much sugar in the blood. It is a lifelong condition managed through medication, diet and exercise. Advancements in treatments no longer make diabetes the Achilles heel it once used to be, but heel pain is common in many diabetics.

Significance

• Too much sugar in the blood can cause nerve problems and nerve damage. A burning, numbness, tingling or pain in the toes, heels and other areas of the feet should never be ignored. Treatment can prevent permanent damage.

Considerations

• The most prevalent form of foot problems in diabetics comes from nerve damage. This can result in a loss of sensation and pain from serious and potentially severe foot ailments.

Identification

• The foot skin on a diabetic can become dry, cracked and rough. Open sores can quickly occur and lead to infection or other impairments on the heel, toes, bottom or top of foot.

Effects

• Diabetes causes poor circulation, which leads to foot and heel pain. Diabetic nerve impairment is the leading cause of foot pain in diabetics.

Prevention/Solution

• Careful examination of the feet by diabetics and regular visits to a podiatrist or other doctor can prevent, manage and treat heel pain. Left untreated, permanent damage and even amputation may result.

Warning

• A diabetic must never dismiss heel pain, blisters, corns, calluses, cuts, an injured toenail or dry skin on the foot. These conditions will heal if treated but can cause many problems if not tended to.