Diabetes Management – PodMed Podiatry

Diabetes can have a significant impact on foot health. Over time, high blood glucose (sugar) levels may damage the nerves and blood vessels in your feet, reducing sensation (neuropathy) and circulation. This can make it harder to feel injuries, increasing the risk of unnoticed cuts, infections, or wounds that heal slowly. That’s why regular foot checks and proper foot care are so important. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been managing diabetes for years, our podiatry team is here to support you with expert advice and ongoing care tailored to your needs.
Neuropathy:
Diabetes can damage nerves in the feet, leading to a loss of sensation (numbness, tingling, pain). This means injuries like cuts or blisters might not be felt, allowing them to worsen and potentially lead to ulcers.
Poor Circulation:
Diabetes can also affect blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the feet. This makes it harder for the body to heal wounds and fight infections, increasing the risk of ulcers and other complications.
Increased Risk of Ulcers:
The combination of nerve damage and poor circulation makes individuals with diabetes particularly susceptible to foot ulcers, which are open sores or wounds on the feet.

Infections:
Ulcers and other foot problems can easily become infected, potentially leading to serious complications if left untreated

Diabetic/Neurovascular foot assessments
Regular diabetic foot assessments are essential for monitoring the health of your feet if you live with diabetes. At our clinic, we provide comprehensive neurovascular assessments to check both blood flow (vascular health) and nerve function (neurological health) in your feet, two areas commonly affected by diabetes.

A neurovascular assessment typically includes:

Vascular assessment (circulation check): We assess the strength of the pulses in your feet and use tools like a Doppler ultrasound to evaluate blood flow.
Sensation testing (neurological assessment): This includes using a monofilament to test protective sensation, vibration testing with a tuning fork, and sometimes temperature or pinprick tests to check how well your nerves are working.
Skin and nail condition assessment: We check for dryness, changes in skin color, nail problems, and any signs of pressure or injury.
Foot mechanics and footwear review: We assess foot shape, biomechanics, postural alignment, and how well your current footwear supports your foot health.
These simple, painless checks help us identify problems early and put preventative measures in place before more serious issues develop.