As you might be aware diabetes can affect both the circulation and sensation in your feet placing you at higher risk of complications such as infections, ulcers, or even in extreme cases, amputations. Under the right circumstances, circulation and sensation can change quickly and as such the doctors and the medical associations recommend that diabetic feet be checked at least every 6 months.

Circulation Testing:
  - Checking pulses for good pressure in the feet. Good blood flow to diabetic feet is vital. If needed a small ultrasound machine is placed against the blood vessels as a way of hearing for minor changes in the blood vessel and looking at the velocity of the blood through the artery.
  - Minor blood vessels are also assessed by a quick pressure test (SVPFT) 
  - Visual inspection. Decreased circulation comes with it a number a visual clues such as varicose veins, thinned skin, changes in skin colour and temperature, loss of hairs on the toes and more. We check the feet for these visual clues to give us and idea of what might be going on under the surface.

Sensation testing
  - Pressure testing. Loss of this 10gram sensation in a diabetic is a strong warning that a person may cut or injury their feet without knowing it. With the clients eyes closed, we use a 10g monofilament to gently place pressure on different areas of the foot to determine if you can feel it or not. 
  - Vibration testing. Loss of vibration sensation is an early warning sign that there may be diabetic related changes occurring in the feet and often occurs before a loss of pressure. By placing a medical graded tuning fork we can determine how much vibration sensation you have lost, if any.

In addition to circulation and sensation testing we also check a number of risk factors that may contribute to the health of your feet. Smoking, cholesterol and health problems may contribute to the problems associated with diabetic feet. We also check for good eye site, flexibility, as well as your gait (the way you walk), calluses, nail problems and more for a thorough assessment.

For more information click here.

Cracked heels are not just unsightly, but can be health risk as they can lead to an infection in the feet.

Our top 5 tips for fixing cracked heels include:
1)   Using a moisturising cream in the morning to give the heels the added elasticity they need to prevent cracking during the day. The greasier the better. If slippery, just use it around the cracked areas and avoid putting on larger areas that you'll be walking on. Our favourite heel balm to use is Pedicare. 
2)   Use a foot file regularly on wet or dry feet (which ever works better for your skin type). If soaking the feet, avoid salt as it is drying, instead add a few drops of oil or some bi-carb to the water to soften to help soften the heels.
3)   If split, use a a piece of rigid sports tape to hold the crack together whilst your feet heal. If one piece doesn't work, you can tape the whole region as needed. Not only will it hold the crack together, but the tape will lock all moisture into the heel area helping it mend again.
4)   Never walk bear feet on hot surfaces. Imagine how dry your face would feel after 5mins on hot cement! Hot surfaces strip the natural moisture from the feet and cause cracking of the heels in a matter of minutes.
5)   If heels need a serious clean up, your podiatrist will be able to get them back to baby smooth in a matter of minutes saving you the hastle and giving you a kick start in the right direction.

Note: Cracked heels, especially in diabetics, can lead to serious infections in the feet and if raw or bleeding you must always use an antiseptic and cover the area until healed.

Summer is nearly upon us, and the dull greys of winter are turning to bright colours of the summer. The good news is that your feet can still receive the great support in summer you are used to during the winter. Stick-on Orthotics (which we are in love with), Orthaheel thongs, and fashion orthotics will all help give you the support you need during the summer months without sacrificing fashion. We stock all styles as listed on www.thefootshop.com.au as well as the vasyli medical grade range of thongs as well.

If arch support isnt your thing, then now is the time to start your foot exercises or come in for a session of mobilisation to keep your feet in good condition.

And as for cracked heels..... well there is nothing like our signature pedi to give those heels a tidy up and touch of polish to boot. Love your feet this Summer

Anna

24/08/2011 Today started off a little bit different with the film crew from Behind The News coming to do some filming for their up coming feature on Childrens feet. In the staring role was little Emily May-Dobson, age 9 and our very own Senior Podiatrist Anna Morgan who ran through a consult for the camera's.

We'd like to thank the team at the Burside Village's "The Athletes Foot" for lending us some shoes for the shoot, and the lovely deb for rushing off to get them!

07/08/2011 After the success of last years run, we look forward to another day of our Podiatry antics at the 2011 City to Bay fun run on the 18th of September. With just over a month to go "Superfoot" has begun his training and shares with us a few tips on preparing for the day.

- Start your training early. This will give your body more time to prepare for the distance.
- Buy and test your running shoes in advance. After all, 12km is a long run in the wrong shoes.
- Trial your blister preparations in advance and work to prevent them where possible.
- Dont over do it. Train slowly and dont push your self too far over your own limit or you may end up with an overuse injury such as Achilles tendinitis.

26/07/2011 This month announced the introduction of prescribing rights for Podiatrists in South Australia. However it hasn't come easily and has a number of provisos attached to make sure that those podiatrists who will gain the right to prescribe are set at the highest standard. These standards mean that nearly all podiatrists will be required to do more study. This is only one of the requirements, and in our opinion, the most important, as it means that our South Australian practitioners are up to date and ready to provide the highest level of care that is required with such a responsibility. Even our Senior Podiatrist, who has already studied a full year of pharmacology at university, will be required to do an additional subject- in short, it means we're going back to uni!

With Adelaide's coldest night in 3 year, our feet are at a great risk of chilblains than they have been for some time.

Chilblains are an inflammatory response in the skin that occur when the micro-circulation in the skin does not respond adequately to a change in temperature. The cold exposure damages capillary beds in the skin, which in turn can cause itchyness, redness, blisters and a burning sensation in the feet.

For tips on keeping your feet warm, click here
For more info on chilblains click here

For many of us who are diagnosed with an injury during winter, the though of applying ice as part of the RICER principal is not a pleasant thought. After all, its cold enough as it is outside without applying ice to your already cold feet.
The trouble is, there are some really good scientific reasons as to why it is suggested. I dont blame anyone who is reluctant to apply ice to their feet in winter. So we suggest the following solutions to make your life more bearable this winter:
- If it is a small area of injury, apply a wheat bag above and below the area, only keeping ice on the area that is injured.
- If the thought of ice on your feet is too much, try considering taking your shoe off the sore foot and resting it on the cold floor to cool it down.
- If your feet are naturally cold, avoid hot bath or shower water on the feet- avoiding heat on a new injury is almost as important as keeping the area cool in the first place, especially if your feet are cold already.