Patient Testimonials
Shoveling snow one winter turned out to be a life-changing experience for Maceo Bowens... Read more or Maceo's story.
Though others had told her she would never walk again, Alida Valles knew there had to be hope for her swollen red-and-black legs and feet... Read more of Alida's story.
Jennifer Marshall wasn’t about to let her diabetic foot problems keep her from the active lifestyle she was used to… Read more of Jennifer's story.
Program Screening
All new patients undergo comprehensive screening to determine the status of their feet. This includes assessing the level of feeling and circulation in the feet. Biomechanical and structural evaluations are also performed.
Plantar Pressure Measurement
An array of computer-based sensors is used to measure the pressure between the foot and the ground as you walk. This allows our team to adapt and tailor footwear for each individual foot. It also helps us understand any role your foot structure might play in causing injuries.
Routine Foot and Nail Care
Professional nail and callus care is an import part of routine foot care for people with diabetes. Nails are often thickened, and callus buildup substantially increases risks of foot injury. Because vision may be impaired with diabetes, we recommend professional rather than self-care of nails to avoid skin injury.
Ulcer Care
We provide care for ulcers in our Diabetic Foot Clinic. Routine care includes removal of debris from the ulcer, dressing wounds, and a number of methods of taking the load off the foot.
Total Contact Casting
A special, light, fiberglass below-the-knee cast, called a Total Contact Cast, has proved to be one of the most effective ways of healing a foot ulcer when applied by an expert. Most ulcers in people without circulation problems heal in six to eight weeks with the cast we use in our Diabetic Foot Clinics.
The images below show the seven major steps in creating a Total Contact Cast.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Advanced Wound Healing
Foot wounds are often difficult to treat. If you have such a wound, we offer the latest, most advanced wound-healing methods. These include various “off-loading” devices that take weight off the affected foot; new types of dressings; bioengineered skin substitutes; and sophisticated antibiotic therapy.
First Visit
Removal of tissue
Day 4
Day 7
Day 14
Day 21
Footwear Prescription
Well-designed footwear is the key to long-term prevention of foot problems. Our footwear specialists provide a range of products, from off-the-shelf shoes with room for special cushioned insoles to custom-designed shoes for the individual foot. Medicare reimburses people with diabetes for many footwear services.
Radiology
The state-of-the-art imaging facilities available at Cleveland Clinic range from simple weight-bearing X-rays to the newest CT and MRI scanners.
Vascular Surgery
Our vascular surgeons are experts in the special pattern of vascular disease seen in diabetes. They specialize in revascularization, or restoring circulation, to the foot. They can restore circulation to the foot either surgically or without surgery, using a special catheter procedure.
Vascular Medicine
Using precision instrumentation, our vascular medicine experts can determine the status of the circulation in the entire leg. They also provide state-of-the-art preventive care for patients at risk for circulatory disorders.
Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic surgeons specializing in foot disorders can perform reconstruction and other surgical procedures to manage advanced foot problems.
Rehabilitation
A comprehensive rehabilitation program is available for patients who need prosthetics and orthotics, or movement retraining.
Patient Education
Certified Diabetes Nurse Educators can assist with all aspects of diabetes self-management.