Yes, it can. Gangrene and foot ulcers that do not get better with treatment can lead to an amputation. A surgeon might do one to prevent a bad infection from spreading to the rest of your body.
The path to that point runs through infection and blood flow. Poor blood flow can slow healing, so an infection may last a long time. Sometimes a bad infection never heals, and the infection might lead to gangrene.
That path also shows where it can be interrupted. Each stage is one to report. Call your health care provider right away if you have a cut, blister, or bruise on your foot that does not start to heal after a few days; skin on your foot that becomes red, warm, or painful, which are signs of a possible infection; a callus with dried blood inside of it, which often can be the first sign of a wound under the callus; or a foot infection that becomes black and smelly, which are signs you might have gangrene.
Here’s why these wounds are easy to miss in the first place. Diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels in your feet. This damage can cause numbness and reduced feeling in your feet. As a result, your feet are more likely to get injured and may not heal well if they are injured. If you get a blister, you may not notice, and it may get worse.
People who have had foot ulcers or an amputation in the past should get a thorough foot exam at each health care visit.