Diabetes is a condition where elevated sugar level is found in the blood. There are 3 types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and gestational. Diabetes can be caused by either having not enough insulin (Type 1), having enough insulin but they do not function properly (Type 2), or pregnancy (gestational).

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There are 4 most common complications associated with diabetic foot:

1. Circulation - Diabetes can decrease the blood flow in our body and can cause gangrene. Usually the first organ affected by gangrene is toe. The gangrenous part of lower limb need to be amputated to prevent further morbidity.

2. Diabetic Neuropathy - Diabetes can affect sensory nerve cells causing initially unusual sensations (hot, tingling, burning sensations) and as it progresses may lead to total sensory loss. It can be devastating since you may not feel anything even when stepping on a sharp object and get a cut on the bottom of feet.

3. Delayed wound healing - Diabetes can delay healing of wounds increasing the risk of getting infection that might cause amputation of lower limb.

4. Diabetic Immunopathy - Diabetes can lower our body immune system and therefore we can get infection easily (bacterial, viral, and/or fungal) and once we can infection it becomes difficult to get it out of our body. Diabetic foot infection may need hospitalization for IV antibiotics.

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Diabetic patients are recommended to check the feet daily basis and follow up with a podiatrist every 6 to 10 weeks to prevent from any of the above diabetic foot complications.