Diabetic leg and foot ulcers are open sores that develop when high blood sugar levels and nerve damage impair the skin’s ability to heal. These wounds often occur on the lower legs or feet and can become slow-healing or infected without proper care. Because diabetes affects circulation and immune response, these ulcers are serious: they can lead to infection, hospital visits, and in extreme cases, limb amputation if not treated early and appropriately.
What Treatment Usually Involves
Effective care for a diabetic ulcer focuses on several key goals:
1. Cleaning & Debridement
Removing dead or infected tissue helps healthy tissue grow and speeds healing.
2. Infection Control
Antibiotics may be prescribed if an infection develops — especially important with deeper wounds.
3. Off-loading Pressure
Special footwear, braces, or casts reduce pressure on the wound so it can heal.
4. Advanced Therapies
Some clinics use hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) — breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber — to help stubborn ulcers heal faster.
5. Blood Sugar Control
Tight glucose control is critical to support healing and prevent recurrence.
6. Multidisciplinary Care
Many severe cases benefit from coordinated care — including endocrinologists, vascular specialists, podiatrists, and wound care experts working together.
Leading Treatment Providers in San Francisco
Here are some specialist clinics & providers in San Francisco, California that offer wound care or diabetic ulcer support:
Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Therapy
HMS Wound Care Center – Offers comprehensive wound treatment for diabetic foot and leg ulcers, plus optional hyperbaric oxygen therapy. They tailor plans to individual needs and aim to prevent complications like infection or amputation.
Foot & Ankle Specialists
San Francisco Foot & Ankle Group – Board-certified podiatric surgeons specializing in diabetic foot care and wound management.
Catherine Cheung, DPM – Experienced podiatrist providing non-surgical and surgical care for a wide range of foot and ankle conditions.
TLC Podiatry, Dr. Roth Ea D.P.M. – Offers diabetic limb salvage and wound care alongside reconstructive foot surgery.
Medical Clinics
Richard Gibbs, MD - San Francisco Free Clinic and San Francisco Free Clinic – Community health centers that may help with basic care coordination or referrals.
South San Francisco Clinic – General medical center that can support diabetes management and referrals.
Specialized Programs & Research
San Francisco is also home to multidisciplinary amputation prevention and limb preservation programs, such as the UCSF Center for Limb Preservation, which focuses on managing complex diabetic ulcers with coordinated vascular and wound care — aiming to keep legs and feet functional.
University-affiliated research studies (including clinical trials) are also ongoing in the city to explore better ways of diagnosing and healing foot ulcers, which may be an option for some patients.
Final Thoughts
Diabetic leg ulcers require urgent, specialized care — beyond standard wound cleaning — because of the risks of infection and chronic poor healing. Early intervention, coordinated treatment plans, and proper diabetes management go a long way toward healing and preventing recurrences.
