DIABETIC FOOT ASSESSMENT
If you have diabetes, looking after your feet is particularly important. Yet it’s often one of the most overlooked aspects of diabetes management.
At Feet By Pody, our highly trained, professional podiatrists are experts in diabetic foot assessment and providing advice and therapy to help those with diabetes manage their foot care.
Why is podiatry essential for people with diabetes?
People with diabetes often have higher levels of blood glucose, which affects your circulation and nervous system. The reduction of blood supply to your feet can cause damage to your nerve endings, something known as peripheral neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy can lead to insensitivity, which means you lose the ability to feel pain and distinguish hot or cold. So you may not notice if you have a minor cut, sore or wound. In addition, poor circulation makes it difficult for your body to heal, so a minor problem left unchecked could lead to serious complications including foot ulcers, foot infections, and even amputation.
Other complications for people with peripheral neuropathy are a loss of balance and coordination, and muscle weakness in the feet.
Doppler Foot Assessment
Tuning fork foot assessment
Neurological foot assessment
Foot Care Tips
If you suffer from diabetes, it’s essential to check your feet daily for any signs of damage. In addition, you should have regular foot assessments with a professional podiatrist to reduce the risk of injury, infection, and other complications.
Our thorough diabetic foot assessments concentrate on three main areas:
- Neurological assessment
- Vascular assessment
- Skin assessment
In addition, we will show you how to examine your feet so you can perform checks in between appointments, treat any minor cuts, grazes, bruises and abrasions, and make sure your shoes and socks fit correctly.
Diabetes sufferers should also take note of the following foot care tips:
- Ensure your feet are clean and free from infection.
- Wear only well-fitting shoes. Ill-fitting shoes can result in blisters, ulcers, corns and calluses, and nail problems.
- Avoid walking barefoot, especially outside to reduce the risks of cuts and grazes.
- Try to avoid sitting cross-legged as this can hinder circulation.
- Cut and file your toenails on a regular basis. When cutting your nails, cut straight across.
- Moisturise your skin, paying particular attention to your heels, as dry skin can lead to cracking and fissures.
- Wear the right shoes. We can recommend the ideal footwear for diabetics.
- Never attempt to treat corns or hard skin yourself. Always consult a podiatrist.
Why Choose Feet By Pody?
If you suffer from diabetes, you should arrange for a diabetic foot assessment once a year, unless your podiatrist advises otherwise. However, if you’re concerned about any aspect of your foot health, always consult a podiatrist immediately to put your mind at rest, and never ignore foot pain.
At Feet By Pody, all our podiatrists are experts in diabetic foot assessment and we’ll take the time to fully explain any potential foot health issues, and ensure you have the right advice to manage your foot care in between appointments.
You can make an appointment at any of our London clinics:
• Canary Wharf E14
• City EC2
• Woolwich Royal Arsenal SE18
• London Bridge SE1
• South Kensington SW7
To book an appointment or contact our foot care professionals for advice on any aspect of diabetic foot care, contact Feet By Pody on 020 7099 6657, via email on [email protected], or book online.
