Are You Overdue For Your Diabetes Foot Check?

With October being FOOT HEALTH MONTH, it is a good time to book in your annual diabetes foot check.

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin, or the cells stop responding to the insulin that is produced. This results in increased levels of glucose in the blood that cannot be absorbed into the cells of the body.

The two types of diabetes are referred to as Type 1 (insulin dependent) and Type 2 (non-insulin dependent), although people with Type 2 diabetes may eventually need to go on insulin therapy.

Long Term Lower Limb Complications of Diabetes:

• Loss of protective sensation.
• Decreased blood supply to the feet.
• Increased risk of infection.
• Diabetic foot ulcers, amputations and gangrene

Therefore if you have diabetes it is very important that you get your feet assessed with a diabetes foot check preformed by a podiatrist every 3 to 12 months, depending on your risk category, which the podiatrist will advise you on.

If you are due for your diabetes foot check or have never had one, please come and see us at Proactive Podiatry to prevent long term diabetes foot complications and pathologies.

Neurovascular Diabetes Foot Assessment Includes:

Neurological Testing:

The podiatrist will assess you protective sensation and balance using a 10g monofilament and vibration tuning fork. Sensation in your feet  is important as it is responsible for:

• Pain
• Pressure
• Temperature
• Blood flow/ sweating regulation
• Muscle strength/control
• Balance

They will let you know if you have any neuropathy (nerve damage) and where this loss of sensation has occurred.

Vascular Assessment:

At Proactive Podiatry we will check your circulation and give you preventative education and treatment strategies to manage poor circulation, which is responsible for:

• Delayed healing
• Cold feet, cyanosed (blue)
• Chilblains
• Muscle cramping/pain when walking or at rest
• Poor skin/nail conditions
• Hairless

The combination of numb, insensitive feet (neuropathy) and poor circulation means cuts or injuries may go unnoticed and progress to infected ulcers which may heal poorly.

Our podiatrist at Proactive Podiatry will educate you on monitoring for infection, giving you extensive education on diabetes and foot related risks. We will provide you with advice on daily diabetic foot care and preventative strategies for diabetic foot complications.

Related Topics

• Ingrown Toe Nails
• Supportive Diabetic Footwear
• Heel Fissures
• Chronic Disease Management Plan

WARNING: This information should be used as a guide only and does not replace professional podiatry advice. The content is provided by Proactive Podiatry for educational purposes only and does not in any way replace the need for a face to face consultation with a podiatrist in order to accurately diagnose and treat the condition. Treatment and outcomes will vary between patients depending on the nature of the presenting complaint and subsequent diagnosis of condition.