Diabetic foot ulcers are open sores or wounds that typically occur on the feet of individuals with diabetes. These ulcers can be slow to heal and carry a significant risk of infection, hospitalization, and amputation if not treated promptly and aggressively.
​
At Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Specialists, our team provides comprehensive, evidence-based care for diabetic foot ulcers. We work closely with patients and referring providers to promote healing, protect limb function, and reduce the risk of serious complications.
​
Why Diabetic Foot Ulcers Develop
​
Diabetic foot ulcers are often the result of several factors occurring together:
-
Peripheral neuropathy that reduces sensation in the feet
-
Poor circulation due to peripheral arterial disease
-
Foot deformities or areas of high pressure
-
Minor trauma from footwear, calluses, or small injuries that go unnoticed
​
Because many patients have reduced sensation, ulcers may not be painful and can progress quietly until infection or tissue damage is advanced.
When to Refer or Seek Specialized Care
​
Referral to a specialized wound care center is recommended when:
-
A wound has not improved after 2–4 weeks of appropriate basic care
-
There are signs of infection (redness, warmth, drainage, odor, or systemic symptoms)
-
Bone, tendons, or deeper structures are visible or suspected to be involved
-
There is concern for critical limb ischemia or evolving gangrene
-
The patient has a history of prior amputation, Charcot foot, or recurrent ulcers
​
Early referral can significantly improve the chances of limb salvage and long term healing.
​
Our Approach to Diabetic Foot Ulcer Care
​
Our clinic provides a structured, multi-disciplinary approach to diabetic wound management, which may include:
-
Comprehensive assessment
-
Detailed wound evaluation, vascular assessment, and review of glycemic control
-
Assessment of footwear, gait, and pressure points
-
-
Local wound management
-
Sharp debridement of non-viable tissue as indicated
-
Appropriate moisture balance with advanced dressings
-
Management of bioburden and infection, including cultures and targeted antibiotics when needed
-
-
Offloading
-
Specialized diabetic footwear, or other offloading devices to reduce pressure on the ulcer
-
-
Vascular evaluation and coordination
-
Referral for vascular studies and interventions when arterial disease is suspected
-
-
Adjunctive therapies
-
Consideration of cellular and tissue-based products, negative pressure wound therapy, and other advanced options when clinically appropriate
-
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for Select Ulcers
​
For certain diabetic foot ulcers that meet established criteria and have not responded adequately to standard care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be considered as an adjunctive treatment.
​
HBOT involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, increasing oxygen delivery to hypoxic tissues and supporting angiogenesis and host defense. Our team evaluates each patient individually to determine whether HBOT is indicated as part of a comprehensive limb preservation strategy.
Goals of Care
​
Our primary goals in diabetic foot ulcer management are to:
-
Achieve wound closure with scar maturation
-
Reduce pain and risk of infection
-
Prevent hospitalization and major amputation
-
Support long-term foot health and ulcer prevention
We routinely care for patients from communities across Davis and Weber counties and work closely with primary care, endocrinology, podiatry, and vascular teams as needed.