If you’ve had diabetes for a while, you’ve probably heard that foot checks matter, but it’s easy to picture this as someone glancing at your feet and moving on. A proper diabetic foot exam is more thorough than that, and for good reason. Diabetes can affect the nerves and circulation in your feet in ways you might not notice day to day, which is exactly why a dedicated check with a podiatrist is worth building into your routine.
This Kind of Check Looks at More Than Just the Skin
A thorough foot check with our podiatry team involves several distinct parts, not just a visual scan. Worth knowing before your next appointment:
- Nerve function and circulation are checked separately, since diabetes can affect each in different ways.
- Many foot problems linked to diabetes develop gradually and without obvious pain, which is part of why regular checks matter.
- A podiatrist will usually also look at your footwear, walking pattern, and any areas of pressure or friction.
- Results vary between individuals, so how often you need checks depends on your specific risk factors and history.
Booking this kind of appointment isn’t about waiting until something feels wrong. Many of the changes a podiatrist looks for happen quietly, which is exactly why a scheduled check tends to catch more than a self-check at home.
What This Kind of Podiatry Check Covers
Sensation and Nerve Function
One of the main things a podiatrist checks is whether you can still feel light touch, temperature, and vibration in your feet. Diabetes can cause nerve damage over time, known as diabetic neuropathy, which can reduce sensation without you necessarily noticing straight away. This matters because a cut, blister, or pressure sore can go unfelt and become more serious before it’s found. Testing usually involves a simple tool pressed against different points on your foot, along with questions about any tingling, numbness, or burning you’ve noticed.
Circulation and Blood Flow
Diabetes can also affect blood flow to the feet, which slows healing if an injury does occur. A podiatrist will typically check the pulses in your feet and look at skin colour, temperature, and any swelling. Signs of reduced circulation, such as cool skin or slow-healing cuts, are noted and factored into your ongoing care plan.
Skin, Nails, and Structural Changes
The exam also covers a visual check of your skin and nails for cracks, callouses, fungal infections, or early ulcers, along with a look at your foot shape and any structural changes that could affect pressure distribution when you walk. Ill-fitting shoes are a common contributor here, so footwear often comes up as part of the conversation.
Why This Matters More if You Have Diabetes
For someone without diabetes, a minor cut or blister is usually just an inconvenience. For someone managing diabetes, reduced sensation and slower healing mean small issues can develop into larger ones before they’re noticed. Healthdirect’s overview of diabetic neuropathy explains how this nerve damage tends to develop gradually and can affect the feet before other areas, which is part of why podiatry is often built into broader diabetes care rather than treated as a separate, optional extra.
How This Fits Into Your Broader Diabetes Care
Foot checks work well as one part of a coordinated approach rather than a standalone appointment. Blood sugar control, circulation, and nerve health are all connected, which is why podiatry often sits alongside a few other parts of your care team:
- Your GP monitors overall blood sugar control and can coordinate referrals if a foot issue needs closer attention
- A dietitian can support the dietary side of blood sugar management, which indirectly affects long-term nerve and circulation health
- Your podiatrist focuses specifically on the feet, tracking changes over time rather than assessing them in isolation at a single visit
None of this needs to feel complicated. For many patients, it simply means a foot check becomes a regular, expected part of managing diabetes rather than something that only happens if a problem shows up first.
How Often You Should Have Your Feet Checked
How often you need this kind of check depends on your individual risk factors, and your podiatrist or GP can advise what’s right for you specifically. As general context:
- Many people with diabetes are advised to have a foot check at least once a year as part of routine care
- More frequent checks are often recommended if you have reduced sensation, circulation issues, or a history of foot ulcers
- Any new symptoms, such as numbness, discolouration, or a wound that isn’t healing, are worth raising promptly rather than waiting for your next scheduled visit
- A GP can also help coordinate foot checks as part of your broader chronic disease management care if diabetes is one of several conditions you’re managing
Treatment suitability always depends on individual circumstances, so the schedule that works for one person with diabetes may not be right for another.
Preventing Foot Problems Between Appointments
Alongside professional checks, a few daily habits support foot ulcer prevention and overall diabetes foot care:
- Check your own feet daily for cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling, particularly if sensation is reduced
- Wash and dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes
- Wear well-fitted, supportive shoes rather than anything tight or worn out
- Avoid walking barefoot, even at home, to reduce the risk of unnoticed injuries
- Get any cut, sore, or infection checked promptly rather than waiting to see if it heals on its own
Healthdirect’s foot care page covers general foot health guidance that applies alongside these diabetes-specific habits, including how ageing and other conditions can also affect foot health over time.
Why Footwear Comes Up at Almost Every Appointment
Shoes come up in nearly every diabetic foot check, and for good reason. Poorly fitted footwear is one of the more common, and most preventable, contributors to pressure sores and friction injuries. A podiatrist will typically check:
- Whether there’s enough room in the toe box to avoid rubbing or pressure points
- Whether the inside of your shoes has any seams, stitching, or rough patches that could irritate the skin
- Whether your usual shoes match what you use them for, since a shoe suited to walking may not suit long periods of standing at work
- Whether socks are seamless and well-fitted, since bunched or tight socks can also create pressure points
If footwear changes are recommended, they don’t need to happen all at once. Most podiatrists suggest gradual changes, particularly if you’re used to a certain style or fit, so your feet have time to adjust without introducing new areas of rubbing or discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does This Kind of Appointment Take?
Most exams take around 20 to 30 minutes, though this can vary depending on what’s being checked and whether any follow-up is needed. Individual appointments may run longer if additional concerns come up during the visit.
Do I Need a Referral From My GP?
You can often book directly with a podiatrist, though a GP referral may be relevant depending on your circumstances, particularly if you’re accessing a chronic disease management plan. It’s worth checking what applies to your specific situation when you book.
What Happens if a Problem Is Found?
If your podiatrist notices reduced sensation, poor circulation, or skin changes, they’ll usually discuss next steps with you directly, which may include more frequent monitoring or a referral. This is general guidance, and what’s recommended will depend on your individual results.
Is the Check Uncomfortable or Painful?
The exam itself is generally not uncomfortable, since most checks involve light touch, temperature, and simple movement tests. Individual sensitivity varies, so let your podiatrist know if anything feels unclear or uncomfortable during the check.
Can I Just Check My Own Feet Instead?
Checking your own feet daily is a genuinely useful habit, but it doesn’t replace a professional exam, particularly for nerve and circulation testing that’s hard to assess yourself. Results vary between individuals, so a combination of both is generally recommended.
Book a Diabetic Foot Exam at Lotus Medical Centre
If it’s been a while since your last foot check, or you’re not sure how often you should be having one, our podiatry team can talk you through what’s appropriate for your situation. Book an appointment online with our Brunswick-based clinic to get your feet checked properly, not just glanced over.
