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.

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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.