Diabetic Foot Care

People with diabetes can develop many different foot problems. Even ordinary problems can get worse and lead to serious complications.

What is Diabetic Foot Care?

Diabetic Foot Care is the performance of regular:

• Routine Foot Care

• Routine Health Checks and

• Routine Footwear Checks and Advice

to help you to maintain good Diabetic Foot health.

People with diabetes are far more likely to have a foot or leg amputated than other people. In Australia 85% of amputations are the result of diabetes related issues.  The problem? Many people with diabetes have peripheral artery disease that reduces the blood flow to the feet. When nerve disease is also present, sensation is reduced. These two problems make it easy to get ulcers and infections that may lead to amputation.

At My Family Podiatrist we provide Routine Foot Care every 6-10 weeks for many people, some of whom have Type 2 Diabetes with Medicare Plans written by their doctors.  For these people, we maintain a regular and particular focus on the risk elements related to their feet.  These risk elements lead to the following checks:

Neuropathy Checks: Foot problems most often happen when there is nerve damage (neuropathy), which can cause tingling, burning or stinging sensations and foot weakness. It can also cause loss of feeling in the foot, so you can injure it and not know it. Poor blood flow or changes in the shape of your feet or toes may also cause problems.  Although it can hurt, diabetic nerve damage can also lessen your ability to feel pain, heat and cold. Loss of feeling often means you may not feel a foot injury. You could have a tack or stone in your shoe and walk on it all day without knowing. You could get a blister and not feel it. You might not notice a foot injury until the skin breaks down and becomes infected.  Nerve damage can also lead to changes in the shape of your feet and toes. We provide advice on supportive footwear for people with diabetes.

Skin Checks:  Diabetes can cause changes in the skin itself, making it become very dry, peel and crack. These are risk factors for the diabetic foot.  The problem is that the nerves that control the oil and moisture in your foot no longer work. Our Podiatrist will monitor your skin and apply the appropriate emollients to your skin after every treatment. Podiatrists also monitor skin colour and temperature changes as an indication of your condition and your circulation. Poor circulation (blood flow) can make your foot less able to fight infection and to heal. Diabetes causes blood vessels of the foot and leg to narrow and harden. If the person has cholesterol or is a smoker then the hardening of arteries and the presence of venous insufficiency is more likely. Our podiatrist may offer support for circulation with regular massage at each visit.

Removal of Callus: Calluses occur more often and build up faster on the feet of people with diabetes. This is because there are high-pressure areas under the foot. Too much callus may mean your podiatrist will prescribe Orthotic Devices or therapeutic shoes to off load pressure and reduce the risk.  Calluses, if untreated, can get very thick, break down and turn into open sores (ulcers).Podiatrists use sterile instruments to remove calluses. When you podiatrist performs this, you eliminate the prospect of any injuries you could cause by trying to do it yourself. Never remove calluses and corns with chemical agents as these products can burn your skin.

Ulcer Checks: Ulcers often occur under the foot, out of sight and as ulcers may not hurt, they may not be noticed, particularly by older people.  But they need to be treated immediately to avoid infection. Untreated ulcers may lead to gangrene and loss of a limb. Your podiatrist may even refer you back to your GP because high blood sugar levels make it hard to fight infections.

Footwear checks and Footwear Advice: The diabetic foot needs more care than ever when it comes to the selection of supportive shoes for your foot type and condition.  Exercise is good for poor circulation. It stimulates blood flow in the legs and feet. Your podiatrist will guide you on the correct sturdy, comfortable and ideal shoes for you, for this purpose. If the foot or toes suffer deformity over time they will advise on therapeutic shoes for protection and comfort. S/he may recommend a special shoe, brace or product. For example: fitted bunion protectors, diabetic gel socks and circulation socks.

We participate in Care Team Management Plans for people referred by their doctors for Diabetic Foot Care. This partnership in your health, helps you to step out in safety.