See a Diabetic Foot Care Specialist in Chattanooga
Let’s find the appropriate treatment for your diabetic foot ailments. Our podiatrist welcomes English- and Spanish-speaking residents in the greater Chattanooga area. Schedule your visit today.
Book Your Appointment
Schedule your visit through a phone call or our patient portal. Once your appointment has been booked, our clinic will confirm through voice call or SMS text. Same-day appointments and walk-ins are accepted.
See Our Podiatrist
During your visit, our podiatrist takes a look at your diabetic foot and determines a treatment plan. Diabetic foot issues vary — some require simple treatment methods, while some might need surgery.
Treat Your Diabetic Foot
Once our podiatrist and patient agree upon the plan, treatment begins. You receive educational materials about diabetic foot care, too. We also schedule follow-ups as necessary.
Board-Certified
Podiatrist
You will be attended by Dr. Maria Pacheco, DPM, who is certified in Foot Surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and certified with the American Board of Podiatric Medicine.
With over 9 years of experience as a podiatrist, Dr. Pacheco has handled a wide range of diabetic foot conditions in Chattanooga. Our team will determine the best procedure for your case.
More importantly, Dr. Pacheco and the Chattanooga Foot & Ankle Clinic genuinely care for our patients. We understand that having a diabetic foot issues stops you from living your best life, so we’ll work together to create an effective treatment plan.
Get to know your foot doctor in Chattanooga.
Dr. Maria Pacheco
“Everything that I have heard bout Dr. Pacheco is true – she is professional and very kind and interested in your condition!”
William M.
How to Care for Your Feet if You Have Diabetes
Neuropathy happens to 70% of people with diabetes, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
When you lose feeling on your feet, it’s incredibly dangerous for people with diabetes since something as small as a blister or a bug bite can lead to:
- Foot infections
- Skin ulcers
- Gangrene – happens when a bad infection never heals
- Charcot’s Foot – starts with redness, warmth, and swelling, but your bones in the toes or feet can shift or break, resulting in an odd shape called “rocker’s bottom.”
- Amputation of your toe, foot, or a part of your leg
A study by Debra K. Litzelman, MD, MA,showed that around 9 to 20% of ulcers on the feet lead to amputations in the US.
Understanding Neuropathy
- The Central Nervous System – composed of the brain and spinal cord
- The Peripheral Nervous System – which is responsible for transmitting messages from the central nervous system to the rest of your body
- Voluntary/Somatic Nervous System – controls functions that we are aware and conscious of, like moving our limbs, for example
- Involuntary/Autonomic Nervous System – controls regulatory functions we can’t directly control, like a heartbeat, breathing, and digestion
Causes
- Chemotherapy
- HIV
- Shingles
- Kidney Disease
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Infectious Diseases
- Alcoholism
- Nutrient Deficiencies
- Hereditary Disorders
- Physical Trauma
When to See a Specialist
Contact a Foot Specialist
If you want to develop a foot-care plan or improve your current one, reach out to a Chattanooga Foot & Ankle Clinic foot specialist. Dr. Pacheco, our board-certified foot surgeon, will help you care for your feet through a protective plan, checkups, and more.
Foot Care Tips for a Person with Diabetes
The first—and one of the most important—thing in caring for your feet is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This should include regular exercise, monitoring your blood sugar daily, and regular medical exams checking your:
- A1c
- Blood Pressure
- Cholesterol
Caring for your feet every day is crucial if you have diabetes. Some have lost the feeling in their feet, so they don’t know they’re injured until they check. Make sure your routine involves:
Inspecting your feet
Be vigilant and check all possible areas of your feet, including your toes, tops, sides, soles, heels, and the area between the toes. Check for:
- Cuts, sores, or red spots
- Ingrown toenails
- Corns or calluses
- Athlete’s Foot
- Warm spots
- Swelling or fluid-filled blisters
Washing your feet
Use mild soap and warm water when cleaning your feet. If you’ve lost sensation in your foot, you might not even realize you’re scalding your skin. This can lead to burns and blisters, which open doors to infection.
Instead, use your fingers or elbows to check the water temperature before putting your feet in. You can also use a thermometer; 90° to 95° F is safe.
Drying and moisturizing your feet
Make sure your feet are entirely dry since infections usually develop in moist areas, such as between the toes.
Use lotion or oil to moisturize your feet, but do not moisturize between the toes since this can promote fungal infection.
Find Out the Right Treatment for Your Diabetic Foot
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Pacheco to mitigate pain and prevent your diabetic foot ailments from worsening.
About Our Chattanooga Clinic
We look forward to helping you get back on your feet and keep moving.
Insurance
Patient Age Range
Bilingual Service
Patient Intake Form
If you’re a new patient, please complete this form before visiting for your diabetic foot consultation.
Patient Portal
Log into the Chattanooga Foot & Ankle Clinic Patient Portal to schedule or cancel appointments.
Years of Experience
Patients Treated
Medical Publications
Team Members
our accolades
Testimonials
Feedback from the people we have had the privilege to help:
achievement
Years of Experience
Projects Completed
Awwards Winning
Professional Team
Our Pricing
Professional Plan
- Fast Service
- Design and Build
- 24/7 Support
- 1 Month Maintenance
Our Expertise
9 Years of Experience treating foot and ankle ailments of all types
We look forward to helping you next!
- Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Medicine and Orthopedics
- Diplomate, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery
- Associate, American Society of Podiatric Surgeons
- Member, Tennessee Podiatric Medical Association
- Member, American Podiatric Medical Association
OUR MISSION
Comfortable Environment
Our team understands that having diabetic foot issues is uncomfortable and often a debilitating condition, which is why we create a comfortable and calm environment at our clinic. We try to minimize the stress and put our patients at ease.
Advice for Patients
Chattanooga Foot & Ankle Clinic keeps abreast of developments in treatments for foot and ankle issues, including diabetic foot. We provide you with the appropriate treatment for your case.
Rehabilitation of Foot and Ankle
Our goal is to help our patients recover quickly so that they can get back on their feet. We’ll also explain every step of the procedure if your diabetic foot requires surgery.
Empathy for Our Patients’ Condition
Chattanooga Foot & Ankle Clinic believes in kindness. We want our patients to feel that they are heard, and their issues are addressed. Our practice advocates empathy, no matter your condition.
Relieve the Pain from Your Diabetic Foot Issues
Schedule a consultation, so Dr. Pacheco can check and treat your diabetic foot.