🩹 Wound Healing Under Pressure: The Impact of Age, Obesity, Neuropathy and Diabetes

Whether it’s a small blister or a more serious ulcer, wounds on the feet don’t always heal the way we hope they will—especially when there’s more going on under the surface.

As podiatrists, we keep a close eye on wounds because we know that even minor injuries can become serious problems when healing is delayed. And there are some key risk factors that tend to show up time and again—things like age, obesity, neuropathy, and diabetes. Let’s break down why these matter, and what they mean for your feet.

A healthcare professional carefully applies an island wound dressing to the underside of a foot, ensuring proper care and protection.

👵 Age: Slower Skin, Slower Healing

As we age, the skin becomes less efficient at healing. The number of stem cells and growth factors—two major players in wound repair—declines. Add to that a longer inflammatory response and reduced immune function, and you’ve got a perfect storm for slow or even stalled healing.

Older skin is also thinner, drier, and less resilient. That means it’s easier to injure and slower to bounce back. Dry skin can crack, forming fissures that invite infection. And because the immune response isn’t as robust, those infections can take longer to clear—or worsen.

What we look for:

• Thin, fragile skin

• Delayed healing after minor injuries

• Early signs of infection or inflammation

Podiatrists consider all signs and symptoms

⚖️ Obesity: Inflammation from the Inside Out

Obesity contributes to a persistent, low-grade inflammatory state. That might not sound like much, but it can have a big impact on how wounds heal.

Fatty tissue doesn’t have a great blood supply, which means it doesn’t receive oxygen efficiently—and oxygen is essential for healing. This can increase the risk of wounds breaking open (wound dehiscence), and even lead to venous insufficiency, where blood struggles to return from the legs to the heart. As a result, legs and feet can swell, and wounds become slower to heal.

What we monitor:

• Swelling or signs of poor circulation

• Delayed healing or re-opening of wounds

• Skin integrity in high-pressure areas

Colour changes may indicate circulation issues

⚡ Neuropathy: When You Can’t Feel the Damage

One of the most common and dangerous contributors to delayed wound healing is neuropathy—damage to the nerves that usually help protect your feet.

Without proper sensation, injuries may go unnoticed and untreated. But that’s not all. Neuropathy also interferes with key immune responses. It can reduce blood flow, impair sweating (leading to dry, crack-prone skin), and delay the arrival of white blood cells needed to kickstart healing.

What we check:

• Sensory testing to identify numbness or altered feeling

• Skin moisture and signs of fissures

• Blood flow and capillary refill

We check for high pressure areas you can't feel

🩸 Diabetes: A Multifaceted Risk

Diabetes is one of the most complex and high-risk factors when it comes to wound healing. Why? Because it combines several problems:

• Poor circulation (thanks to peripheral arterial disease)

• Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)

• A weakened immune response

• Elevated blood glucose, which disrupts every phase of healing

Diabetes can prolong inflammation, reduce the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), impair collagen production, and leave wounds more vulnerable to infection. All of this adds up to a significantly increased risk of chronic wounds and even amputation if not carefully managed.

What we manage:

• Blood flow and vascular health

• Sensory loss

• Wound staging and treatment planning

• Blood glucose considerations in healing

Diabetes? Blocked arteries? Let's check using Doppler.

💡 We Offer Medicare-Funded Wound Care

At Silver Podiatry, we’re proud to support eligible patients through the Chronic Wound Consumables Scheme (CWCS)—a Medicare-funded program designed to ease the financial burden of ongoing wound care.

Who is eligible?

You may qualify for the CWCS if you:

• Are enrolled in Medicare

• Have Diabetes

• Are aged 65 years or older (or 50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

• Have a wound that has lasted more than 6 weeks

What’s included?

Eligible patients can access fully subsidised consumables used for wound care, including:

• Dressings

• Bandages and wraps

• Cleansing and antimicrobial products

• Protective barriers

• Other essential wound care items

These consumables can make a significant difference in keeping wounds clean, protected, and healing well—especially when wounds are chronic or recurrent.

👣 What You Can Do

If you or someone you care for is living with any of these risk factors, don’t wait for a problem to get worse. Early intervention and podiatry-led care can significantly improve outcomes.

At Silver Podiatry, we take a proactive, evidence-based approach to wound prevention and management. Whether it’s pressure offloading, skin care advice, diabetic foot screening, or access to Medicare-funded consumables, we're here to help you keep your feet one step ahead of trouble.

Worried about a wound that isn’t healing?

Book a consultation today. Call us on (08) 9370 2544 or visit www.silverpodiatry.com.au to get started.

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