Why does my heel hurt the most when I get out of bed in the morning?

Morning heel pain is often linked to plantar fasciitis, a common condition caused by inflammation in the foot’s arch. A podiatrist can help with long-term relief.

Do I need a podiatrist or an orthopedist for foot pain?

Podiatrists are foot and ankle specialists trained to treat everything from skin and nail issues to complex injuries and surgery. NES offers both podiatry and orthopedic care, depending on your needs.

Can a podiatrist help with broken toes or foot fractures?

Yes. NES podiatrists diagnose and treat foot and ankle fractures, offering imaging, bracing, casting, or surgery — all in-house.

How long should I wait before seeing a podiatrist for foot or ankle pain?

If your pain lasts more than a few days or keeps coming back, it’s time to see a podiatrist. NES offers same- and next-day appointments.

Who is the closest podiatrist who can see me today for ankle pain?

NES has multiple Portland-area podiatry locations and often offers same-day appointments. Use our booking tool to find the nearest available provider.

Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Care in Portland

Managing diabetes means taking extra care to protect your feet. Even small cuts or blisters can lead to serious complications if not treated early. At Northwest Extremity Specialists, our board-certified podiatrists provide comprehensive diabetic foot care designed to prevent, manage, and treat complications before they become severe. Whether you need preventative care, advanced wound treatment, or surgical intervention, we offer expert, personalized care to keep you moving safely and comfortably.

Why Diabetic Foot Care Is So Important

Diabetes affects how your body heals, circulates blood, and responds to injury. Without proper care, small foot issues can escalate into ulcers, infections, deformities, and even amputation. Common diabetic foot complications include:

Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy) that reduces sensation, making it harder to notice injuries.
Poor circulation (peripheral arterial disease) that delays healing and increases infection risk.
Dry, cracked skin that allows bacteria to enter and cause infections.
Muscle weakness or deformities that increase pressure on certain parts of the foot, leading to calluses, corns, and ulcers.
Balance and coordination problems that raise the risk of falls and further injury.

Regular podiatric care plays a critical role in preventing these issues and preserving long-term mobility.

Our Approach to Diabetic Foot Care

At Northwest Extremity Specialists, we provide comprehensive care that combines prevention, early detection, and advanced treatment options. Our team works closely with you to build a personalized care plan that supports your long-term health and mobility.

Preventative Screening and Ongoing Monitoring

We recommend regular checkups for all patients with diabetes, even if no symptoms are present. Early screenings help detect circulation problems, nerve damage, and subtle skin changes before they lead to serious complications. Our preventative care includes:

Comprehensive nerve and circulatory evaluations
Diagnostic testing to identify early signs of neuropathy or vascular disease
Custom diabetic footwear and orthotics to reduce pressure points and protect the skin
Routine maintenance for toenail care, corns, calluses, and other skin concerns

Advanced Wound Care and Healing Support

When diabetic wounds develop, fast and effective care is essential to avoid infection and prevent amputations. We offer:

Debridement and advanced dressing techniques
Wound VAC therapy to promote healing and reduce fluid buildup
Skin grafts and bioengineered tissue options
Growth factor treatments to accelerate tissue repair
Close monitoring to track healing progress and prevent complications

Diabetic Foot Reconstruction

For severe cases such as Charcot foot, where bones collapse and deform due to neuropathy, surgical reconstruction may be necessary to restore function and prevent amputation. Our podiatrists have advanced training in complex diabetic foot surgery to help preserve mobility whenever possible.

Education and Daily Foot Care Guidance

Patient education is a key part of diabetic foot care. We help you establish daily habits that protect your feet, including:

Inspecting your feet daily for cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling
Keeping skin moisturized to prevent cracking
Choosing properly fitted, protective footwear
Avoiding walking barefoot, even indoors
Seeking prompt care for any changes or injuries

Diabetic Foot Care

A diabetes diagnosis puts your feet and ankles at heightened risk. Fortunately, proper preventative care can help you avoid the worst. At Northwest Extremity Specialists, our physicians provide comprehensive options, from diabetic shoes and nerve screenings to advanced wound care and reconstructive surgery.

Preventative Care

Regardless of your personal history with diabetes and foot problems, we strongly encourage all of our patients with diabetes to inspect their feet every day, establish healthy habits, and visit our specialists at least yearly for a checkup, circulatory and nerve screenings, and proactive, preventative care.If you’re due for your next diabetic foot checkup—or you have any injuries or wounds—please call the nearest office of Northwest Extremity Specialists and book an appointment today.

Our Diabetic Foot Care Services

Our team offers a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to diabetic foot care with multiple advanced treatment options. With almost a dozen physicians who regularly consult on care, you gain the full benefit of our broad range of training and specialties.

Preventative Care

Health screenings and diagnostic testing. In most cases, nerve damage and narrowed arteries won’t cause any noticeable symptoms—at first. Unfortunately, by the time you notice the problem, it may be too late to fully reverse course. However, these problems can be detected ahead of time through simple tests. Getting a full checkup at least once per year can help you slow or stop problems before they fully arrive.
Diabetic footwear. Custom orthotics and diabetic shoes help at-risk patients protect their feet from both internal and external threats—reducing impact and shear forces, cushioning sensitive spots, and providing plenty of wiggle room for toes.
Maintenance care. If you have diabetes, seemingly ordinary conditions like corns and calluses, thick toenails, bunions and hammertoes, or dry skin pose a greater risk to long-term health and are more difficult to care for. We ensure that these problems are addressed effectively and safely.

Restoring Your Health

Advanced Wound Care. Diabetic wounds must be healed as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of infections and prevent amputation. In addition to standard treatments, our specialists have received advanced wound care training and offer state-of-the-art technology to greatly improve outcomes, including wound VAC (a therapy that creates negative pressure to clean wounds and remove excess fluids), autogenous and synthetic skin grafts, topical medications enriched with growth factors, and surgical options.
Diabetic Foot Reconstruction. Some diabetic patients with severe neuropathy develop a condition called Charcot foot. Bones break and then crumble under weight, producing a severely misshapen foot. Diabetic foot reconstruction is a very complex surgical procedure that requires special training, but when successful can restore foot function and help you prevent an amputation.

Common Pediatric Foot Problems Congenital Deformities

If you have diabetes, your feet are at risk.

More than 30 million Americans are believed to live with the disease—some diagnosed, some not—and another 80 to 90 million have elevated blood sugar levels that may eventually reach Type 2 status. Diabetes can cause health problems throughout the body, with feet being one of the most vulnerable locations.

That’s because diabetes shuts down circulation and damages nerves, especially in the toes and feet. Suddenly, injuries and wounds take a lot longer to heal—and without healthy nerves, you may not even realize you have a problem. If you don’t get care in time, you may risk losing a foot or limb to amputation, or developing a serious foot deformity (Charcot foot).

Fortunately, most serious diabetic foot and ankle complications can be prevented with a combination of healthy habits and regular care from a podiatrist. At Northwest Extremity Specialists, our team will do everything in their power to protect and care for your feet, so that you can remain healthy and active for years to come.

Why do people with diabetes have to worry about their feet?

If you are managing diabetes, foot health may not always be a top priority. However, your feet provide important insights into your overall well-being. Diabetes-related complications can lead to nerve damage, circulation problems, slow healing, and increased risk of infections. Proper management of diabetes foot health can help mitigate these risks.

At Northwest Extremity Specialists, our Portland podiatrists are committed to helping individuals with diabetes maintain healthy feet and prevent serious complications. A focus on diabetes foot health is a crucial aspect of our care.

How Diabetes Affects Foot Health

Diabetes can cause a range of foot-related complications, making preventative care essential for maintaining diabetes foot health.

Nerve Damage and Loss of Sensation

Diabetic neuropathy, caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels, can damage the peripheral nerves that send signals from the feet to the brain. As a result:

Sensation in the feet is reduced or completely lost, highlighting the importance of diabetes foot health.
Injuries such as cuts, blisters, or ulcers may go unnoticed
Without pain as a warning sign, infections can develop unnoticed

Regular foot exams at our Portland podiatry office help ensure that any wounds or injuries are treated promptly before they worsen.

Diminished Blood Flow and Healing Issues

Diabetes increases the risk of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which restricts blood flow to the legs and feet. This poor circulation leads to:

Slower healing times for wounds and ulcers
Weakened immune function, making infections harder to fight
Increased risk of gangrene and tissue death, which may require amputation

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), early detection of circulation problems is essential to prevent serious complications related to diabetes foot health.

Compromised Skin Health and Dryness

Diabetes can reduce sweat and oil production, leading to dry, cracked skin. This increases the risk of:

Painful fissures that allow infections to enter
Reduced skin barrier function, making feet more vulnerable to allergens and bacteria

Keeping skin properly moisturized is essential. Our Portland podiatrists can recommend safe moisturizers and foot care products that protect against dryness and infections.

Muscle Weakness, Gait Changes, and Foot Deformities

Diabetic neuropathy can weaken foot muscles, leading to:

Structural changes in the feet
Increased pressure on certain areas, causing calluses, corns, and ulcers
Gait imbalances that lead to hip, knee, and lower back pain

Addressing muscle weakness and gait changes is crucial for long-term mobility and overall musculoskeletal health. Regular assessments ensure that diabetes does not compromise foot health.

Balance and Coordination Challenges

Diabetic neuropathy and muscle weakness can cause poor balance and coordination, increasing the risk of falls and serious injuries. Reduced physical activity due to fear of falling can also:

Weaken muscles further
Leads to decreased bone health
Increase the likelihood of future mobility issues

Preventative measures such as custom orthotics, balance training, and mobility exercises can help reduce fall risk and maintain an active lifestyle, which is beneficial for diabetes and foot health.

Continuing Care for Your Diabetic Feet

At Northwest Extremity Specialists, we recommend that all individuals with diabetes:

Inspect their feet daily for cuts, blisters, or swelling
Establish healthy foot care habits, including moisturizing and wearing proper footwear
Schedule annual foot screenings for nerve function, circulation, and skin health to monitor their diabetes foot health.

If you have diabetes-related foot pain, wounds, or circulation issues, early intervention is key to preventing complications.

Contact your nearest Northwest Extremity Specialists office today to schedule a diabetic foot checkup and learn more about preventative care options for diabetes foot health.

Protect Your Feet and Prevent Complications

With proactive care, most diabetic foot complications can be prevented or managed successfully. Whether you need a routine checkup or treatment for an active wound, our podiatry team is here to support you at every stage of care.

Call us or schedule an appointment online with a Portland-area NES location near you.