Foot ulcers and wounds

When a foot or ankle wound doesn't heal on its own, it can turn into an ulcer that affects your daily life and mobility. Foot and ankle wounds and ulcers often develop slowly, but they respond well to early, focused care. Our foot and ankle specialists take time to listen to your concerns, explain what's happening and build a personalized plan to support healing and protect your feet.

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Medical illustration showing layers of foot anatomy including skin, blood vessels, muscles and bones.

Anatomy of the foot and ankle

Your feet and ankles carry your full body weight with every step, relying on healthy skin, strong circulation and functioning nerves to stay protected. Skin acts as a barrier against injury and infection, while blood vessels deliver the oxygen and nutrients tissue needs to repair itself. Nerves in the feet help you sense pressure, heat and pain, alerting you to problems before they worsen.

When pressure, poor circulation or nerve damage interfere with any part of this system, small wounds can be slow to heal. Ulcers develop when the skin breaks down completely, exposing deeper tissue underneath. Because feet and ankles endure constant friction and pressure, especially at the heels, toes and balls of the feet, they're particularly vulnerable to slow-healing wounds.

Overview

Symptoms

You may have a foot or ankle wound or ulcer if you notice:

Sores, blisters or cracks that haven't healed after two weeks
Redness, swelling, warmth or drainage from a wound
Foul odor, increasing pain or tenderness around the sore
Skin breakdown on pressure points like heels or toes
Difficulty bearing weight or wearing shoes comfortably

Left untreated, these symptoms can worsen over time and may lead to deeper tissue damage or infection.

Causes

Several factors can contribute to foot and ankle wounds and ulcers, including:

Pressure points: High-friction areas on the heels, toes or balls of the feet
Poor circulation: Reduced blood flow slows the body's natural healing process
Diabetes and neuropathy: Numbness can hide injuries until they worsen
Venous insufficiency: Fluid buildup in the lower legs causes skin breakdown
Foot deformities: Bunions or hammertoes create rubbing and irritation
Poorly fitting shoes: Constant friction wears down protective skin

Risk factors

Certain factors can make you more likely to develop foot and ankle wounds or ulcers, including diabetes, poor circulation, nerve damage, foot deformities and shoes that don't fit properly. Having one or more of these risk factors doesn't mean you'll develop a wound or ulcer, but it does mean paying closer attention to foot care and seeking prompt evaluation for any sores that don't heal.

Diagnosis

Our foot and ankle specialists take a thorough, personalized approach to understand your wound. Diagnosis may include a careful exam of the wound's depth, the surrounding skin and pressure areas, along with testing for circulation, sensation and signs of infection.

Your specialist may also review your footwear, activity level and walking pattern, and use imaging such as X-rays or ultrasound to check for bone involvement. We'll review the findings with you and explain the steps that can support healing.

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We offer leading-edge treatments for most foot and ankle conditions, treating many with medications, bracing and injections.

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