DIABETIC MANAGEMENT

Podiatrists play a vital role in the clinical assessment and management of diabetic foot health. As diabetes can cause multiple complications to the foot and lower limb it is important for any patient who has been diagnosed with diabetes to have a foot check at least once a year.Diabetes can cause changes to arteries which can affect the blood flow and nerve supply to your feet. In clinic we manage this by assessing the blood flow to both feet by checking all the pulses using a doppler ultrasound.We also check for peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) as having a high sugar level in the blood can damage nerve endings leading to decreased feeling and sensations in the feet.At the end of the assessment, we will then advise you of your risk status (low, moderate or high) and advise and educate you on how to maintain or improve your foot health to help reduce the risk of developing foot problems such as ulceration and infection.