Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention — 10 Steps That Save Limbs

Quick answer: Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention 10 Steps affects roughly 1 in 4 adults in our practice. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Township practices. Call (810) 206-1402.

Related Conditions

✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention — 10 Steps That Save Limbs

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10 Steps to Prevent Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Protect Your Limbs

Diabetic foot ulcers precede 85% of all diabetes-related lower limb amputations. The vast majority of these amputations are preventable. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township, ulcer prevention is the cornerstone of our diabetic foot care program. Here are the 10 steps that make the difference. Call (810) 206-1402. Our Bloomfield Township office shares a building with the Grunberger Diabetes Institute for coordinated diabetic care.

The 10 Steps

1. Annual podiatry foot exam — Medicare covered, identifies risk factors before they become wounds. 2. Daily foot inspection — Mirror, magnification, adequate lighting. Check every surface of every foot every day. 3. Therapeutic footwear — Medicare Therapeutic Shoes with custom orthotics redistribute pressure from high-risk areas. 4. Never go barefoot — Inside or outside. Ever. 5. Optimize blood sugar — Every 1% reduction in HbA1c meaningfully reduces complication risk. Work closely with your endocrinologist. 6. Professional nail care — Don’t risk a nail trimming injury at home. 7. Moisturize daily — Dry cracked skin on diabetic feet is a wound waiting to happen. Urea-based creams on heels and soles; NOT between toes. 8. Control peripheral circulation — Don’t smoke. Manage blood pressure and cholesterol. Walk daily if cleared by your physician. 9. Treat calluses professionally — Don’t file them yourself. Callus is pressure response; the tissue under thick callus can be breaking down invisibly. 10. Act immediately on any wound — Call us the same day any skin break is found. Don’t wait.

Schedule Your Ulcer Prevention Exam

Call (810) 206-1402. Medicare covered. Home visits available.

Professional Podiatric Care in Michigan: Balance Foot & Ankle’s Comprehensive Services

At Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan patients receive comprehensive podiatric care across the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions. Our fellowship-trained podiatrists provide conservative and surgical treatment for all foot and ankle pathology — from plantar fasciitis, bunions, and nail disorders to complex reconstructive surgery, diabetic foot care, and sports injuries. Our clinical approach prioritizes accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment selection, and honest communication with patients about realistic outcomes.

We serve patients in Livingston and Oakland counties from two convenient Michigan locations: our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River (serving Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, Howell, and all of Livingston County) and our Bloomfield Township office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 (serving Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, and all of Oakland County). Both offices offer in-office X-ray, new patient appointments, and a full range of diagnostic and treatment services. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most Michigan insurance plans. Call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule your appointment.

Michigan patients from throughout the region — Livingston County communities including Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, and Fowlerville, and Oakland County communities including Bloomfield Township, Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Pontiac, and Rochester — can access expert podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our clinical team is committed to providing the highest standard of foot and ankle care available in Southeast Michigan, from routine preventive care to complex surgical intervention. Call (810) 206-1402 to schedule — we look forward to serving you at our Howell or Bloomfield Township location.

Scheduling with Balance Foot & Ankle is straightforward — call (810) 206-1402 during business hours and our front desk team will find an appointment time that works for your schedule, verify your insurance coverage before the visit, and answer any preliminary questions you have about what to expect. Our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River has convenient parking and is easily accessible from I-96, M-59, and Grand River Avenue. Our Bloomfield Township office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 is located on Woodward Avenue with parking adjacent to the building. Both locations are accessible by patients throughout Southeast Michigan, and our team looks forward to providing you with the professional, evidence-based podiatric care that you and your feet deserve.

Related Treatment Guides

• Diabetic Foot Care
• Corn & Callus Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics

Michigan patients are welcome to call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to learn more about the specific services available at our practice, confirm insurance coverage, or schedule a new patient appointment. Our Howell office serves Livingston County patients with convenient access from the Howell, Brighton, Hartland, and Pinckney communities. Our Bloomfield Township office serves Oakland County patients with convenient access from the Birmingham, Troy, West Bloomfield, and Farmington Hills communities. Both offices welcome new patients and provide the same high standard of podiatric care that Livingston and Oakland county residents have come to expect from Balance Foot & Ankle.

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.