Diabetes and Foot Care in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Foot problems are one of the most common and serious complications of diabetes. For people living with diabetes in Grand Rapids, MI, proper foot care is especially important because cold winters, ice, and dry air can increase the risk of skin breakdown, poor circulation, and infections.

Local healthcare systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health offer specialized diabetes and podiatry services to help you protect your feet and prevent complications.

How Diabetes Affects Your Feet

Diabetes can affect your feet in two main ways:

1. Reduced Blood Supply (Poor Circulation)

High blood sugar over time can damage blood vessels and lead to poor circulation in your legs and feet. When blood flow is reduced:

  • Cuts, sores, and blisters heal more slowly
  • You are more likely to develop infections
  • Cold temperatures, like those in West Michigan winters, can further reduce circulation in your feet and toes

Early signs of poor circulation may include:

  • Pain or cramping in your calves or the backs of your legs when walking (called claudication)
  • Cold feet or toes
  • Pale or bluish skin on the feet
  • Slow-healing cuts or sores

Circulation problems are often caused by hardening or narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) as they become clogged with fatty deposits.

2. Nerve Damage (Diabetic Neuropathy)

High blood sugar can also damage the nerves that carry messages between your feet and your brain. This is called diabetic neuropathy. The nerves in your feet are usually affected first.

Neuropathy can cause:

  • Numbness or loss of feeling in your feet
  • Burning, tingling, or “pins and needles” sensations
  • Sharp, shooting, or aching pain, often worse at night
  • Feet that feel very sensitive to touch or, in some cases, not sensitive at all

Because of reduced feeling, you may not notice:

  • Minor cuts
  • Blisters
  • Burns (from hot water, heaters, or car heaters)
  • Pressure areas from tight shoes

These minor injuries can turn into ulcers (open sores) and serious infections if not treated promptly.

Many people with nerve damage have no symptoms at all and are unaware they have a problem, but they are still at high risk for foot ulcers.

Why Foot Care Is Critical for People With Diabetes

You may have heard that diabetes can lead to gangrene (dead, black tissue) and even amputation. Most cases of gangrene result from delayed treatment of foot injuries in people with:

  • Poor circulation
  • Nerve damage
  • Uncontrolled blood sugar

The good news: with daily foot care, regular check-ups, and early treatment, most serious foot problems can be prevented.

In Grand Rapids, you can get your feet checked regularly by your:

  • Primary care provider or family doctor
  • Endocrinologist (diabetes specialist)
  • Podiatrist (foot specialist)

How Often Should You Have Your Feet Checked?

All people with diabetes should have a comprehensive foot exam at least once a year by a doctor or podiatrist. You may need more frequent checks (every 3–6 months) if you:

  • Have reduced circulation
  • Have neuropathy or loss of feeling
  • Have a history of foot ulcers, infections, or amputations
  • Smoke or have high cholesterol or high blood pressure

In Grand Rapids, foot exams and diabetes foot care are available through:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) Diabetes and Endocrinology clinics
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids diabetes and podiatry services
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Independent podiatry clinics throughout Kent County

Improving Circulation in Your Feet

Better circulation helps wounds heal faster and reduces your risk of ulcers and infections.

Common Causes of Poor Circulation in People With Diabetes

  • High blood sugar over time
  • High blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides)
  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Being overweight or obese

How to Improve Your Blood Circulation

Work with your Grand Rapids healthcare team to:

  • Keep blood glucose levels as close to target as possible
  • Control blood fat levels
    • Take cholesterol-lowering medications if prescribed
    • Follow a heart-healthy eating plan
  • Manage blood pressure
  • Exercise daily, as advised by your doctor
    • A brisk walk around your Grand Rapids neighborhood, inside a mall, or on a treadmill can help keep blood flowing to your feet
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Avoid sitting or standing in one position for long periods

Smoking and Circulation

Smoking Causes Spasm and Narrowing of Blood Vessels

Smoking is especially dangerous for people with diabetes because it:

  • Narrows and spasms blood vessels
  • Worsens circulation to your feet and legs
  • Increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and amputations

If you smoke, ask your doctor about smoking cessation programs. Local support is available through:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources
  • Michigan quit lines and counseling programs

Daily Foot Care for People With Diabetes in Grand Rapids

Daily foot care is one of the most important things you can do to prevent serious complications.

Step-by-Step Daily Foot Care

1. Check Your Feet Every Day

Look at the tops, soles, heels, and between your toes. Use a mirror or ask a family member if you can’t see well.

Watch for:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Warmth or heat
  • Blisters, cuts, scratches, or sores
  • Cracks, especially on the heels
  • Changes in color or shape
  • Ingrown toenails

If you notice pain, throbbing, heat, swelling, or discoloration, contact your doctor or podiatrist right away.

2. Wash and Dry Your Feet Carefully

  • Wash your feet daily in warm (not hot) water with mild soap
  • Check the water temperature with your elbow or a thermometer first, especially if you have neuropathy
  • Gently dry your feet, especially between the toes

If there is a lot of moisture between your toes, keep the area dry and discuss safe drying products with your podiatrist or doctor. Avoid harsh chemicals unless specifically recommended by a healthcare professional.

3. Moisturize Dry Skin (But Not Between the Toes)

Michigan’s cold, dry winters can cause very dry, cracked skin on the feet.

  • Apply a moisturizing cream or lotion daily to the tops and bottoms of your feet, especially the heels
  • Do not apply moisturizer between the toes, as excess moisture there can encourage fungal infections

4. Keep Toenails Trimmed

  • Cut toenails straight across or following the natural shape of your toe
  • Avoid cutting them too short
  • File rough edges with an emery board

If you have poor vision, neuropathy, or thick or ingrown nails, have your toenails trimmed by a podiatrist.

Choosing the Right Shoes in Grand Rapids

Wearing proper footwear is essential to protect your feet from injury, especially when walking on icy sidewalks or uneven surfaces common in West Michigan.

Buying New Shoes

  • Never be rushed into buying shoes you are not completely comfortable with
  • Have your feet measured when buying shoes
  • Make sure shoes are:
    • Long enough (about a thumb’s width of space at the toe)
    • Wide enough (no pinching or rubbing)
    • Deep enough (to avoid pressure on the tops of the toes)
  • Avoid:
    • Open-toed shoes and sandals
    • High heels
    • Narrow or pointed toes
    • Flip-flops or thin-soled shoes

Ask your doctor or podiatrist if you qualify for diabetic footwear or custom orthotics, which may be available through local clinics and durable medical equipment providers in Grand Rapids.

Protecting Your Feet from Injury

Never Go Barefoot

  • Do not walk barefoot, even indoors
  • Wear slippers or indoor shoes at home to avoid stepping on sharp objects

Wear Appropriate Shoes Outdoors

  • Choose well-fitting, protective shoes with good support and non-slip soles
  • In winter, wear insulated, waterproof shoes or boots with warm socks
  • Avoid putting your feet too close to space heaters, fireplaces, or car heaters, as you may burn your skin without realizing it if you have neuropathy

Neuropathy and Preventing Foot Injury

People with diabetic neuropathy must be especially careful.

If You Have Nerve Damage in Your Feet

  • Check your feet more than once a day if possible
  • Avoid hot water bottles, electric blankets, or heating pads on your feet
  • Always check bath water with your elbow or a thermometer
  • Do not use over-the-counter corn or callus removers or sharp tools on your feet

Have Corns and Calluses Treated by a Podiatrist

Podiatrists are experts in caring for feet and lower limbs. They are highly trained health professionals who:

  • Prevent, diagnose, and manage foot problems
  • Treat corns, calluses, thickened nails, and ulcers
  • Recommend appropriate footwear and orthotics

In Grand Rapids, you can see a podiatrist without a referral, but a referral from your primary care provider or endocrinologist may help with insurance coverage under certain care plans.

When to See a Podiatrist or Doctor in Grand Rapids

See a Podiatrist At Least Once a Year If You Have:

  • Circulation problems
  • Reduced feeling in your feet
  • A history of ulcers or foot infections

Do not attempt to treat corns, calluses, or ingrown toenails yourself if you have diabetes.

See Your Doctor or Podiatrist Immediately If You Notice:

  • Pain or throbbing in your feet or toes
  • Swelling or warmth in any part of your foot
  • Redness or discoloration (blue, black, or very pale areas)
  • A cut, blister, or sore that does not start to heal within 1–2 days
  • Any sign of infection (pus, bad smell, spreading redness, fever)

Early treatment can prevent serious complications, including gangrene and amputation.

Local Diabetes and Foot Care Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you live in the Grand Rapids or Kent County area, you can get help with diabetes management and foot care from:

  • Your GP / Primary Care Provider
  • Endocrinologist (Diabetes Specialist)
  • Podiatrist
  • Certified Diabetes Educator
  • Hospital Diabetes Programs at:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

Public health support and education:

  • Kent County Health Department – diabetes education and prevention programs
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources – community health programs and referrals

National and state resources:

  • National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) – information and support
  • American Diabetes Association – education, local events, and support groups
  • Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) – support for type 1 diabetes

(For current phone numbers and locations in Grand Rapids, check the organizations’ official websites or your provider’s referral list.)

Key Points for Diabetes Foot Care in Grand Rapids

  • Foot problems are a common complication of diabetes, but most can be prevented.
  • Poor circulation and nerve damage increase the risk of ulcers, infections, and gangrene.
  • Keep blood glucose, blood fats, and blood pressure under control.
  • Do not smoke – smoking greatly worsens circulation problems.
  • Exercise daily – even a brisk walk helps keep blood flowing to your feet.
  • Check your feet every day and have them examined by a doctor or podiatrist at least once a year.
  • Wear well-fitting, protective shoes and never go barefoot.
  • Seek medical help promptly if you notice pain, swelling, heat, redness, or slow-healing sores.

By combining good diabetes control, daily foot care, and regular check-ups with Grand Rapids healthcare providers, you can significantly reduce your risk of serious foot complications and stay active year-round.