Diabetic foot wounds can be successfully treated and healed (with the right doctor, the right medicine, and the right wound care). Here is some important information to help diabetic foot ulcers heal.

Remove dead tissue (also known as debridement) Sharp debridement is a proven method for removing dead and infected tissue from a diabetic foot ulcer, to start the healing process. A wound care doctor uses a sharp tool to remove all the bad tissue from your diabetic foot ulcer. After debridement your foot wound may look bigger. Don't be alarmed. This is because your doctor has cut away the dead or infected tissue that filled the diabetic foot ulcer. In fact, the wound is healthier and it now has a better chance to heal. Treat infection If present, infection can be treated with antibiotics. Relieve pressure on the wound Devices like orthopedic shoes, specially made shoe inserts, walkers, crutches, and wheelchairs can be a tremendous help in healing because they relieve pressure on the foot, allowing the wound to heal without any further damage. Your doctor or healthcare professional will recommend the device that's right for you.

Growth factors: the body's own construction crew

Growth factors play a part in the hard business of wound healing. Specifically, they

help repair wounded skin and start cell growth, help to rebuild wounded tissue with collagen and other natural building materials, attract other repair cells to the area of the wound, and help close the diabetic foot ulcer.

Next: When to See a Doctor

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