Your feet have a tough job to do, carrying you everywhere you need to go, supporting and balancing your entire body while propelling you forward with great flexibility and versatility. It’s no wonder it feels good to put your feet up after a busy day.
Located where they are, your feet are also farthest away from your heart and lungs, the toughest spot for your body to supply with blood. You may not think about that much, but your feet are prone to certain conditions and injuries that don’t happen very often elsewhere.
Add to that stubbed toes, blisters, and other day-to-day injuries your feet can acquire, and it’s easy to recognize that foot health has its own special requirements. That’s why doctors of podiatry, like Dr. Kerry E. Berg of Intermountain Foot & Ankle Associates, are ready to help you when your feet aren’t at their best.
You might have vague childhood memories of cuts, blisters, and scrapes on your feet, perhaps during the barefoot days of summer. Chances are you didn’t think too much about these. It hurt for a moment, but then the incredible healing systems of your body took over and before you knew it, your foot was back to normal.
As you get older, though, these incidental injuries may seem to linger longer than they did back then. It may not be your imagination. There are health conditions and diseases that interfere with the systems that protect and restore your feet, so even a minor blister can become a big deal.
Blood must work against gravity to return from your feet to your heart and lungs, a job done by your leg veins. These are equipped with valves that allow blood flow in only one direction — back toward your heart. Since blood is the key delivery system for nutrients and the building blocks of repair, it’s an important part of healing everywhere, not only your feet.
When foot wounds start taking longer to heal, it’s often because your body can’t supply adequate nutrients through the blood. This could happen due to conditions, such as varicose veins, peripheral artery disease, or diabetes.
Speaking of diabetes, it adds another twist to the foot wound issue. High levels of blood sugar can damage nerves, and in diabetics, this often occurs as a condition called peripheral neuropathy. The condition can cause numbness and lack of sensation in your feet, so it’s possible for a wound to occur, develop, and become ulcerous without any accompanying pain. A foot wound can be quite serious before you’re even aware anything is wrong.
It’s time to call Dr. Berg and her team of foot wound care specialists at Intermountain Foot & Ankle Associates any time you notice a foot wound that concerns you or that takes too long to heal. You’ll not only receive the treatment your foot needs, but you’ll also learn more about the preventive steps you need to take to protect yourself against further foot issues. Call the office or use our online booking tool to book your appointment now.
