Living with diabetes means more than just managing your blood sugar. Taking care of your feet is a critical part of your healthcare routine, as people with diabetes are ‘much more likely to develop problems with their feet’, according to Diabetes UK.

However, most of these problems can be prevented by routine foot care, both at home and with the support of an expert chiropodist. Read on to discover the importance of regularly seeing a chiropodist when you have diabetes, and how putting your feet into caring hands could be the difference between long-term wellbeing and serious health issues.

How Diabetes Impacts Foot Health

Diabetes affects the small nerves and blood vessels in the lower limbs, making feet especially vulnerable to injury and infection. Over time, persistently high blood sugar, also known as blood glucose levels, can cause peripheral neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that reduces the ability to feel pain, heat or cold. This loss of sensation means you might not notice if you step on something sharp or if your feet get too hot. Left unchecked, tiny wounds can grow into ulcers or severe infections because normal warning signs, like pain, go unfelt.

In addition, diabetes narrows and stiffens the blood vessels supplying the feet, slowing down the healing process and starving tissues of essential oxygen and nutrients. This poor blood flow allows minor issues to quickly escalate, because it’s more difficult for white blood cells to reach and destroy microbes. Infections can spread rapidly, resulting in gangrene or even amputation if not treated early.

It’s this combination of problems – hidden injuries, slow healing and a higher risk of infection – that makes routine diabetic foot assessments and professional care a lifesaver for those living with diabetes.

The Role of a Chiropodist in Diabetes Care

As noted by Diabetes UK, ‘diabetes leads to 184 leg, toe or foot amputations a week.’ Luckily, this shocking statistic can be much reduced by regular foot checks and early professional intervention.

Here at Feet By Pody, our highly trained podiatrists and chiropodists are experts in diabetic foot assessment, using our years of expertise to spot issues before they get out of hand, and offering advice and therapy to help those living with diabetes to manage their foot care.

A typical diabetic foot assessment includes:

• A thorough visual examination of your feet, including between the toes, looking for signs of infection or foot deformity
• Checking the blood supply and circulation by feeling foot pulses and using a small machine called a doppler to listen to blood flow
• Looking for changes in feeling and sensation, using equipment like a tuning fork and monofilament, a small piece of plastic that bends under pressure
• Clear advice on footwear, daily routines and lifestyle tweaks
• A personal treatment plan for managing your ongoing foot health.

Prevention Is Key: Why Annual Visits Matter

Both the NHS and leading diabetes organisations like Diabetes UK agree that an annual diabetic foot exam is vital to help catch foot problems, with more frequent checks recommended for those with a history of foot-related issues.

Most severe foot complications evolve from minor, overlooked issues, so these yearly checks ensure interventions can be made early, preventing ulcers and infections from becoming serious and resulting in irreversible damage. While daily self-checks remain essential, some changes can only be picked up by trained professionals using specialist techniques and equipment.

At Feet By Pody, appointments are designed to fit into busy lives. Our London foot clinics offer gentle, reassuring care along with practical advice that you can follow at home. Together, they play a key role in maintaining independence, mobility and overall health for those living with diabetes.

What You Can Do Between Visits

It’s important that you don’t rely on your annual diabetic foot assessment alone. A quick check of your feet on a daily basis is equally important. This includes:

• Inspecting your feet in search of cuts, cracks, redness, swelling or changes in temperature
• Keeping feet clean, dry and moisturised
• Wearing well-fitting shoes and clean, dry socks, and never walking barefoot, even indoors
• Avoiding the use of heating pads or hot water bottles, as you may burn yourself
• Paying careful attention to foot pain or unusual sensations
• Booking an appointment if you notice any stubborn injuries, changes in shape or signs of infection; don’t wait for your annual appointment.

Trust Feet By Pody for Compassionate, Expert Care

From routine check-ups to advanced therapies, our expert podiatrists and chiropodists are dedicated to keeping your feet healthy. Our patient-centred approach means you’ll always feel heard and supported, while our five London foot clinics work six days a week across a range of locations, offering plenty of options to fit into your busy schedule.

If diabetes is part of your life, expert foot care isn’t a mere luxury; it’s an essential investment in long-term mobility, wellbeing and independence. For expert diabetic foot care, book an appointment with Feet By Pody today.