5 Things You Should Know About a Diabetic Foot Check

World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14. World Diabetes Day aims to engage millions of people worldwide in diabetes awareness. It is now estimated that 1 in 20 Australians have diabetes. We encourage all diabetes to use this day as a reminder to get their feet checked. Below is a list of 5 things every diabetic should know about a getting a Diabetic Foot Check.

1) Its not just about the Feet. When conducting a diabetic foot check we are interested in more than just blood sugar levels or circulation & sensation testing. We are interested in the whole body, such as other medical risk factors that could affect the health of the feet,

2) Circulation is King. Without blood flow the feet cant heal. Circulation testing together with nerve testing are the two most vital parts of the Diabetic foot check. The good news is that circulation can be improved, with exercise being one of the key factors. If you have any doubts about your circulation, speak to your Podiatrist today about and ways you can improve it.
For more information on the affects of diabetes on the feet click here

3) What is Involved? Your usual Diabetic foot assessment may include some simple tests to determine your risk factors such as:

• Visual Foot Assessments
• Circulation testing - checking for pulses in the feet or via the use of a Doppler ultrasound or ABI
• Sensation Testing - gentle pressure testing and vibration recognition tests
• Gait Analysis - watching you walk

to learn more about the testing involved in a diabetic foot check click here.

4) Its okay to ask.  There's a lot to remember about feet and diabetes so its important to remember that its okay to ask. If there is something your not quite sure about or don't understand or even if its been a while since you had your feet checked then we are here to help. Getting the rhythm of checking your feet daily and caring for feet can often require a little fine tuning if there are any question no matter how big or small than we encourage you to ask.

5) Know your Foot Risk.
All diabetics should know their foot risk status and where they stand. Knowing what your circulation and sensation levels are as well as what other risk factors you may have or be able to improve are all important parts of knowing how to protect your feet from harm. If you do no know your diabetic foot risks ask your podiatrist today. See Podiatry for Diabetics for more information about our risk categories.


As anyone who has Diabetes would know, getting a foot check by a Podiatrist is a vital part of any diabetic management plan. World diabetes day is a great reminder to look after yourself so if its been more than 12 months since your last Diabetic foot check than there is no better day than today to book your annual check up.