Diabetic patients are at risk of foot ulcers, which are open wounds on the foot that don't heal, even after time.

Something as simple as a cut or scratch can become an ulcer. This is risky for diabetics, because many have already lost feeling in the area where the injury occurs. A diabetic foot ulcer may go unnoticed until blood appears in socks or shoes.

Unfortunately, 26 percent of diabetics with foot wounds require limb amputation. 

Amputation Prevention

Wound Treatment

Foot wounds for diabetics should be inspected by a doctor once per week or every other week. A wound should be 50 percent healed in four weeks. It may need more advanced therapy if not healing at this rate.

Listen as Dr. Andrew Applewhite joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share the importance of early treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.