What it is
Diabetes affects feet in two compounding ways. Neuropathy dulls protective sensation, so injuries go unnoticed. Peripheral arterial disease reduces blood supply, so what would be a trivial wound in another patient becomes a chronic ulcer.
Regular podiatric care is the single most effective intervention against diabetic amputation. Routine examination, professional nail and callus care, correct footwear and immediate attention to any break in the skin change outcomes dramatically.
Symptoms we look for
- Numbness, burning or loss of sensation in the feet
- Any sore, blister or ulcer that is slow to heal
- Skin colour changes, coolness or hair loss on the legs
- Thickened nails or calluses that build up quickly
How we treat it
- Comprehensive diabetic foot examination and risk stratification
- Professional nail and callus debridement
- Prescription diabetic footwear and custom insoles
- Advanced wound care and offloading for ulceration
- Vascular referral and limb salvage surgery when indicated
When to see a podiatrist
If you have diabetes, you should be examined at least annually — more often if you have neuropathy or a prior ulcer. Any new sore, blister or colour change warrants a same-week visit, not a wait-and-see.
Common questions
How often should a diabetic patient see a podiatrist?
At minimum once a year. Patients with neuropathy, deformity, poor circulation or a history of ulceration should be seen every one to three months.
Can I cut my own toenails?
If you have full sensation and good vision, carefully. If you have any neuropathy or circulation problems, let us do it — a small nick is not a small problem.