Living with diabetes can always be challenging, but living with diabetes in North or South Carolina comes with unique difficulties to be aware of. Whether you’re navigating humid summers in Charlotte, hiking trails in Asheville, or enjoying coastal walks in Myrtle Beach, it’s vital to pay attention to your feet when you have diabetes in North or South Carolina.
In fact, for the over 1.8 million people with diabetes across the Carolinas, quality foot care is a lifeline. At Elevate Foot and Ankle, our 100% telehealth podiatry practice is transforming how patients manage diabetic foot health, offering expert care from the comfort of home.
Drawing on our experience serving patients throughout NC and SC, here’s why diabetic foot care matters and how telehealth technologies are making a real impact:
The Stakes of Diabetic Foot Care in the Carolinas
Diabetes can take a toll on your feet in ways that aren’t always obvious. High blood sugar levels can damage nerves (neuropathy), reducing sensation in your feet. Combine this with impaired circulation and slower healing, and you have a recipe for serious healthcare concerns.
Dr. Thurmond Lanier, our board-certified podiatrist and medical director, sees this firsthand: He says, “I’ve had patients in Raleigh and Greenville who didn’t realize a small cut had become infected because they couldn’t feel it. In the Carolinas, where humid weather and active lifestyles are the norm, these risks are amplified.”
From a Blister to an Infection
For example, a simple blister from new sandals worn at a Charleston farmers’ market or a scratch from barefoot walks on an Outer Banks beach can escalate into ulcers or infections without proper care. According to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, up to 33% of people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime, and untreated complications can lead to amputation. In rural areas like the Pee Dee region or Western NC, where access to specialists can be limited, these risks are even higher.
Finding a Local Podiatrist Can Be Challenging
Because of the seriousness of diabetic foot care concerns, traditional podiatry often requires frequent in-person visits, which can be a hurdle for Carolinians.
Toni Lanier, practice administrator at Elevate Foot and Ankle, shares, “We’ve heard from patients in places like Wilmington or Spartanburg who’ve struggled to find local podiatrists or faced long drives to appointments. For someone with diabetes, missing a check-up because of travel costs or scheduling conflicts can have serious consequences.”
Add in the demands of managing blood sugar, diet, and other health needs, and foot care can slip down the priority list, especially for those balancing work, family, or caregiving in busy communities like Charlotte or Columbia.
How Telehealth Transforms Diabetic Foot Care
This is where telehealth steps in, bridging the gap for patients across NC and SC. Dr. Lanier recalls a patient from rural Laurinburg: “She had neuropathy and didn’t notice a callus turning into an ulcer. By the time she saw a doctor, it required weeks of treatment. If she’d had easier access to a podiatrist sooner, we could’ve caught it early.”
At Elevate Foot and Ankle, our telehealth model is designed to make diabetic foot care accessible, proactive, and personalized, no matter where you are in North or South Carolina.
Here’s how we’re leveraging technology to keep your feet healthy:
Virtual Assessments for Early Detection
Through secure video calls, Dr. Lanier can visually assess your feet for warning signs like calluses, redness, swelling, or early ulcers. “Patients in places like Hickory, NC, or Florence, SC, can show me their feet on their phone or laptop,” he explains. “I once spotted an early infection in a patient’s toe during a virtual visit from their Conway home. We got her a prescription to her local pharmacy that day, avoiding a hospital stay.” Using your device’s camera, we guide patients to position their feet for clear views, ensuring nothing is missed.
Personalized Care Plans from Home
Telehealth lets us create tailored foot care routines without the need for office visits. For a patient in Durham with neuropathy, we might recommend specific moisturizers to prevent cracked skin, daily self-checks with a mirror, or orthotics we coordinate remotely. Toni adds, “We’ve help patients from Boone to Beaufort learn how to inspect their feet daily, which can be vital for preventing complications.”
Seamless Coordination for Comprehensive Care
If you need a prescription, wound care supplies, or a referral to a local specialist (e.g., for advanced wound care in Greenville or Charlotte), we handle it virtually. Dr. Lanier can send prescriptions to your pharmacy or connect you with trusted providers, all while monitoring your progress through follow-up telehealth visits. “I might have a patient in Rock Hill who needs specialized shoes,” he says. “We can arrange everything remotely to get that patient walking comfortably within weeks.”
Education and Empowerment
We also use telehealth to teach patients how to protect their feet in the Carolinas. For instance, Dr. Lanier advises patients to avoid barefoot walks on hot sand at Myrtle Beach or to wear moisture-wicking socks during humid hikes in Pisgah National Forest. “Education is prevention,” he says. “A patient in Aiken might tell me that she never knew tight shoes were worsening her neuropathy. By talking through the unique concerns of each patient and answering questions, we’re able to change lives without requiring an office visit.”
Convenience That Fits Your Life
Telehealth eliminates travel barriers, which is crucial for rural patients or those with mobility issues. “Patients tell me they love not having to drive an hour for a 15-minute appointment,” Toni shares. “They can meet with us from their living room, saving time and stress.” This is especially helpful for diabetic patients who need regular check-ins to stay ahead of complications.
Real Impact in the Carolinas
Our telehealth approach has made a tangible difference. Take *Sarah, a 58-year-old teacher from Sumter, SC, with type 2 diabetes. She noticed mild swelling in her feet but dismissed it as “just aging.”
During a telehealth visit, Dr. Lanier identified early signs of venous insufficiency, common in diabetic patients, and recommended compression socks and a follow-up plan. “I didn’t have to miss work or drive to MUSC in Columbia,” Sarah said. “Dr. Lanier explained everything clearly, and I feel in control of my foot health now.”
Or consider *James, a retiree in Hendersonville, NC, who developed a small ulcer from a poorly fitting shoe. Living in a rural area, he faced a two-hour drive to see a podiatrist. Through Elevate’s telehealth platform, Dr. Lanier guided him on wound care, called in
prescriptions, and monitored healing weekly via video calls. “I was back to my morning walks in no time,” James shared. “I didn’t realize foot care could be this easy.”
Tips for Diabetic Foot Care in the Carolinas
Based on our experience, here are practical tips to protect your feet, tailored to life in NC and SC:
- Check Your Feet Daily: Use a mirror or ask a family member to inspect for cuts, blisters, or redness. Remember that small abrasions can become infected quickly, especially in our humid climate.
- Moisturize, but Sparingly: Apply lotion to prevent dry skin, but avoid between toes to reduce fungal risks.
- Choose Footwear Wisely: Opt for breathable, well-fitting shoes to handle summer heat.
- Stay Active Safely: Walking in places like the Swamp Rabbit Trail or Lake Norman can be great for your overall wellness, but wear supportive shoes and check your feet afterward.
- Book Regular Check-Ups: Even if your feet feel fine, schedule telehealth visits every 3 months to catch issues early.
Why Elevate Foot and Ankle?
At Elevate Foot and Ankle, we’re more than a podiatry practice; we’re your partners in staying active and pain-free across North and South Carolina. Dr. Lanier’s expertise as a board-certified podiatrist ensures you receive compassionate, cutting-edge care without leaving home. “Nothing makes me happier than hearing a patient say they’re back to enjoying life,” Toni says. “Telehealth lets us make that happen for more people.”
Schedule Your Telehealth Podiatry Visit in North and South Carolina
If you’re living with diabetes in the Carolinas, don’t wait for foot problems to escalate. Let’s create a personalized plan to keep your feet healthy, whether you’re in a bustling city like Raleigh or a quiet town like Tryon.
Book your telehealth visit today, and take the first step toward worry-free foot health!
Dr. Thurmond Lanier
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