DIABETIC FOOT CARE
Diabetic Foot Care in Billings, MT
Diabetes affects your feet more than you might think. Our comprehensive diabetic foot program helps prevent ulcers, infections, and amputations.
Why Diabetes Affects Your Feet
Diabetes creates a dangerous combination of problems in the feet. Elevated blood sugar damages nerves (neuropathy), reducing your ability to feel pain, temperature, and pressure. At the same time, diabetes impairs blood circulation, slowing the body's ability to heal wounds and fight infection.
This means a small cut, blister, or pressure sore that a healthy person would notice and heal from quickly can go undetected in a diabetic foot, progress to a deep ulcer, become infected, and in severe cases lead to amputation. Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputation in the United States — but the vast majority of these amputations are preventable with proper foot care.
That is why regular podiatric care is not optional for diabetic patients. It is an essential part of diabetes management.
Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam
Neuropathy Screening
We test sensation using monofilament testing, tuning fork vibration, and pinprick assessment to determine if you have protective sensation loss. This tells us your risk level for undetected injuries.
Vascular Assessment
We evaluate blood flow to your feet by checking pedal pulses, skin temperature, color changes, and hair growth patterns. Reduced circulation means slower healing and higher infection risk.
Skin & Nail Evaluation
We examine for calluses, blisters, fungal infections, ingrown nails, dryness, and cracks — all of which can become entry points for dangerous infections in diabetic feet.
Structural Assessment
Foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoes, and Charcot foot create abnormal pressure points that are high-risk areas for ulcer formation in neuropathic patients.
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Preventive Care
- Regular foot exams — Scheduled at intervals based on your risk level, from annually to every 2-3 months
- Diabetic nail care — Safe, professional trimming for patients who cannot safely trim their own nails due to neuropathy or poor vision
- Callus and corn management — Professional debridement of thickened skin that can break down into ulcers
- Patient education — We teach daily foot inspection, proper shoe selection, moisturizing techniques, and warning signs that require immediate attention
Custom Diabetic Footwear & Orthotics
Therapeutic shoes and custom-molded inserts are one of the most effective ways to prevent diabetic foot ulcers. We prescribe and fit:
- Extra-depth diabetic shoes that accommodate deformities without creating pressure points
- Custom-molded inserts that redistribute pressure away from high-risk areas
- Covered by Medicare for qualifying patients (one pair of shoes and three pairs of inserts per year)
Wound Care & Ulcer Treatment
When ulcers do develop, aggressive early treatment is critical. Our wound care approach includes:
- Debridement of non-viable tissue to promote healthy wound bed formation
- Offloading with specialized boots, casts, or shoe modifications to eliminate pressure on the wound
- Advanced wound dressings and topical therapies selected for each wound type
- Infection management with appropriate antibiotics when needed
- Regular follow-up to monitor healing progress and adjust treatment
Limb Salvage Surgery
For severe infections, non-healing ulcers, or Charcot foot deformity, our surgeons provide limb salvage procedures designed to preserve as much of the foot as possible and maintain functional mobility. Dr. Zachary Lubek has specialized training in complex diabetic reconstruction, including surgical debridement, bone resection, and reconstructive procedures that can prevent or minimize amputation.
Why Choose Rimrock Podiatry for Diabetic Foot Care?
Prevention-Focused
Our program is designed around preventing problems, not just treating them. Regular screenings and patient education significantly reduce the risk of ulcers and amputation.
Surgical Capabilities
When complications arise, our board-certified surgeons handle everything from wound debridement to complex limb salvage — no need to travel to a larger city for advanced care.
Medicare Coverage
We accept Medicare and handle all documentation for covered diabetic foot services including annual exams, therapeutic shoes, and medically necessary procedures.
Coordinated Care
We work closely with your primary care physician, endocrinologist, and vascular specialists to ensure your foot care is integrated with your overall diabetes management.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetic Foot Care
How often should diabetic patients see a podiatrist?
The American Diabetes Association recommends at least one comprehensive foot exam per year for all diabetic patients. If you have neuropathy, poor circulation, a history of foot ulcers, or prior amputation, you should be seen every 2 to 3 months. Your podiatrist will recommend the appropriate schedule based on your individual risk level.
What are the early signs of diabetic neuropathy in feet?
Early signs include tingling or pins-and-needles sensations, numbness starting in the toes and spreading toward the ankles, burning pain especially at night, increased sensitivity to touch, and muscle weakness in the feet. Some patients first notice they cannot feel temperature changes or small injuries. If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule a neuropathy screening promptly.
Does Medicare cover diabetic foot care?
Yes. Medicare covers an annual diabetic foot exam and, for patients who qualify, therapeutic shoes and inserts through the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Bill. Patients with diabetic neuropathy and evidence of foot deformity or prior ulceration are eligible for one pair of therapeutic shoes and three pairs of inserts per calendar year. Our office handles the insurance documentation.
What should I do if I find a wound on my diabetic foot?
Do not attempt to treat it yourself. Keep the wound clean with mild soap and water, apply a sterile bandage, avoid putting weight on the affected foot, and contact our office immediately. Diabetic foot wounds can deteriorate rapidly due to poor circulation and impaired immune response. Early professional treatment dramatically reduces the risk of infection and amputation.
Can diabetic foot problems be prevented?
Many diabetic foot complications are preventable with proper care. Key prevention strategies include daily foot inspections, maintaining blood sugar control, wearing properly fitted shoes, never walking barefoot, keeping feet clean and moisturized, trimming nails properly, and regular podiatric checkups. Our diabetic foot program is built around prevention — catching small problems before they become limb-threatening.
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Our board-certified podiatric surgeons will evaluate your condition, explain your options, and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.