Diabetic Foot Care Specialist

Francine Rhinehart, DPM -  - General Podiatrist

Francine Rhinehart, DPM

General Podiatrist & Aesthetic Podiatrist located in Oak Cliff, Dallas, TX

Having diabetes and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) can increase your risk of nerve damage and limb-threatening ulcers. Because of these serious issues, Francine Rhinehart, DPM, provides integrative diabetic foot care at her private practice in Dallas, Texas. If you have diabetes or a history of decreased blood circulation, book an exam with Dr. Rhinehart directly through the website. You can also call to schedule by phone.

Diabetic Foot Care Q & A

Why do I need diabetic foot care?

When your blood sugar goes up with diabetes, damage occurs to cells, connective tissues, and skin. This can lead to serious foot pain, numbness, and tingling. To make matters worse, diabetes also limits blood flow all over your body, particularly to your lower extremities. 

These issues wreak havoc on the health of your feet and can increase your risk of:

  • Nerve damage (neuropathy)
  • Diabetic foot wounds 
  • Overly dry skin and calluses
  • Nail problems, including fungal infections

You may even struggle with these types of issues if you have poor circulation that isn’t necessarily caused by diabetes, as with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). 

The goal of comprehensive foot care is to prevent these types of problems and to intervene early on when they occur. This helps lower your risk of complex foot ulceration that can lead to an amputation if left untreated. 

Which diabetic foot care treatment do I need?

At the practice of Francine Rhinehart, DPM, you can expect personalized diabetic foot care that’s tailored to your health and any symptoms you may have. Dr. Rhinehart may perform an ankle brachial index (ABI) ultrasound and Doppler test to evaluate your circulation. She can even refer you to a vascular lab to catch circulation and PVD issues early on.

Once Dr. Rhinehart performs any essential foot screenings, she can get you started on any treatments you may need. Common diabetic foot treatments include:

  • Corn and callus removal
  • Fungal nail treatments with the Q-Clear™ laser
  • Wound debridement and bandaging
  • Toenail trimming

Dr. Rhinehart can even help with hazardous foot care issues if you’re on blood thinners and bleed a lot because you have a very high risk of infections from minor cuts. She often recommends custom orthotics or diabetic shoes to help prevent wounds and ulcers due to injury. 

How often do I need to see a podiatrist if I have diabetes?

Usually, Dr. Rhinehart wants to see you annually for a full foot and ankle evaluation. If you have a history of diabetic foot ulcers, poorly managed diabetes, or PVD, Dr. Rhinehart may schedule you for twice-a-year or quarterly exams to provide comprehensive preventive foot care.

You can undergo comprehensive diabetic foot care services at the office of Francine Rhinehart, DPM. Book your evaluation through the website or by phone today.