Diabetic Foot Assessments
What is diabetes? | Who needs a diabetic foot care assessment?
Diabetes is a condition that affects our body’s ability to produce or utilise insulin effectively; resulting in high glucose levels that can damage nerves, blood vessels and / or cause additional health complications such as foot ulcerations, foot amputations, or issues to the kidneys, heart or eyes.
Diabetes is a chronic and serious medical condition, that if left untreated or not managed correctly can impair protective sensation (ability to feel your feet / legs), circulation, impair response to wound healing and overall impair the immune system.
Some patients may have symptoms, whereas others may not or their signs and symptoms go unnoticed. This is why annual diabetic foot care assessments are conducted by a podiatrist to check a diabetics sensation / feeling in the feet, circulation, skin and nail integrity, any signs of ulcerations or tissue breakdown, muscle and foot posture, foot deformities and footwear.
Our podiatrists perform at a minimum annual diabetic foot care assessment to prevent any complications from arising or to manage and treat any pre-existing concerns. If you are at risk or have a history of ulcerations, you may need more intensive education and regular podiatry care. A letter will be sent to your general practitioner to advise them of your foot risk clarification and management plan moving forward.
Our Podiatrists working in our Brookvale podiatry clinic, Terrey Hills podiatry clinic and Ingleburn podiatry clinic’s, understand the importance of diabetic foot assessments / screening and detecting problems early. By initiating regular prevention strategies and education our aim is to prevent ulcers and other complications from arising.