Neuropathic ulcers in Diabetes - why do they happen?

Neuropathic Diabetic Foot Ulcers is the medical term for ulcers that happen where there is nerve damage commonly because of diabetes. They tend to happen over the pressure areas so typically a neuropathic ulcer would occur on the sole of the foot over pressure points but also can happen on the sides of the foot where there is a deformity or protuberance and then you slide it inside the shoe and there is a rub on either side. You can also get a pressure ulcer on the heel and this is commonly something that occurs in hospital if you are in bed most of the time and your heel is not well protected. These nerve ulcers happen because most of our patients with advanced diabetic nerve damage can no longer get a sensation of pain. Pain is usually a warning symptom that something is wrong and when you don't get that warning symptom it can lead to more and more damage being tolerated. Often when people present us with a neuropathic ulcer it can be extensive enough that the damage not only is in the skin but also down into the soft tissues and possibly up to the overlying bone.