Diabetes Assessment

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin, or the cells stop responding to insulin in the body. This results in higher levels of glucose in the blood.

The two types of diabetes are referred to as Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and Type 2 (non-insulin dependent), although people with Type 2 diabetes may eventually need to go on insulin therapy.

Diabetes increases your risk of foot complications, which is why it is recommended to have a diabetes foot assessment performed by a podiatrist and ongoing podiatry care if necessary.

• Loss of protective sensation
• Decreased blood supply to the feet
• Increased risk of infection
• Diabetic foot ulcers, amputations and gangrene

A diabetes foot assessment performed by a podiatrist every 3 to 12 months is advisable, depending on your risk category, which the podiatrist will determine.

Once your risk level is determined for diabetes-related foot complications, it is important to follow the guidelines for recommended diabetes foot check timeframes.

The podiatrist will assess your nerve health and function in your feet, with a range of different instruments.

This is very important as the nerves are responsible for;

• Pain
• Pressure
• Temperature
• Blood flow/ sweating regulation
• Muscle strength/control
• Balance

They will let you know if you have any neuropathy (nerve damage) and where this loss of sensation has occurred. Loss of sensation will increase your risk category, and require more regular diabetes foot assessments.

At Well Heeled Podiatry we will check your circulation and give you preventative education and treatment strategies to manage poor circulation, which is responsible for:

• Delayed healing
• Cold feet, cyanosed (blue)
• Chilblains
• Muscle cramps and pain during walking and resting.
• Poor skin/nail conditions
• Reduction in hair growth

Reduced circulation also increases your risk category and more frequent diabetes foot assessments will need to be undertaken by the podiatrist.

The combination of numb, insensitive feet (neuropathy) and poor circulation means cuts or injuries may go unnoticed and progress to infected ulcers which may heal poorly.

The podiatrist at Well Heeled Podiatry will educate you in respect to monitoring for infection, giving you extensive education on diabetes and foot-related risks. They will provide you with advice on daily diabetic foot care and preventative strategies for diabetic foot complications.

Related Topics

• Ingrown Toe Nails
• Heel Fissures
• Chronic Disease Management Plan

WARNING: This information is a guide only and does not replace professional podiatry advice. This content is provided by Well Heeled Podiatry for educational purposes only. It does not in any way replace the need for a face to face consultation with a podiatrist to accurately diagnose and treat the condition. Treatment and outcomes will vary between patients depending on the nature of the presenting complaint and subsequent diagnosis of condition.