Foot Ulcer Information

A foot ulcer is a discolored, painful open sore on the bottom or side of the foot or on or around the toes that is prone to infection and in more advanced stages can cause tissue death. According to EverydayHealth.com, people with diabetes experience foot ulcers more often because they have poor circulation in the feet, making it difficult to feel an ulcer developing.

Types

• According to the Cleveland Clinic, ischemic ulcers and neurotrophic ulcers are the most common types of foot ulcers. Arterial ulcers affect the heels and the toes, whereas neurotrophic ulcers affect pressure points on the bottom of feet.

Symptoms

• A foot ulcer looks like an open sore or a red crater, sometimes surrounded by a border of thick, hard skin. The open sore may produce pus, smell foul or look red or discolored.

Time Frame

• Foot ulcers heal in three to six weeks with medical supervision and treatment. Deep ulceration, or ulceration that exposes the muscle, tendons or bones under the skin, can take 12 to 20 weeks to heal.

Cause

• Nerve damage in the feet or lower legs, circulatory problems, abnormalities in the bone or muscle structure in the feet, atherosclerosis and Raynaud's phenomenon can increase the risk of foot ulcers.

Treatment

• Treatment for foot ulcers includes treating the open sore with compression stockings or wraps, wearing orthotics to make it easier to walk, and keeping the wound clean and dry. Antibiotics are also used to treat infections.

Complications

• An untreated foot ulcer can cause severe infections, including cellulitis and osteomyelitis. It can also cause gangrene, a condition where the tissue around the infection dies.