More than 1.3 million (1 in 20) Australians currently live with diagnosed diabetes, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. While the impact of diabetes on organs like the heart and kidneys receives widespread attention, the risks to your feet often go overlooked. Diabetes can have a devastating effect on foot health, yet proactive care minimises this danger.
How Diabetes Hurts Your Feet
Nerve Damage (Neuropathy): Chronically elevated blood sugar damages delicate nerves, particularly the long ones reaching your legs and feet. This can manifest as numbness, tingling, burning or a complete loss of sensation. If you can’t feel pain, you might miss cuts, blisters or infections that are actually rapidly developing.
Reduced Blood Flow (Peripheral Artery Disease): Diabetes narrows and hardens arteries, decreasing blood flow to your feet. This impairs your body’s ability to heal wounds, increasing the risk of even minor injuries turning into serious infections.
Changes in Foot Shape: Nerve damage can weaken foot muscles, causing collapsed arches (flat feet), hammertoes or bunions. These deformities create uneven pressure distribution, leading to calluses, blisters and potential ulcers.
The Domino Effect: From Minor Cuts to Amputation
Diabetes-related foot problems are particularly insidious because nerve damage can mask the pain of a developing issue. This dangerous scenario creates an alarming risk:
Foot Ulcers: Sores and wounds can form unexpectedly due to pressure points, poor circulation and lack of sensation, often worsening rapidly.
Serious Infection: Even a small cut can become a major infection, spreading to deeper tissues or bone.
Amputation: In worst-case scenarios, advanced infections may necessitate amputation to prevent further spread. People with diabetes are far more likely to undergo amputation than those without the condition.
Diabetic Foot Screening: Your Safety Net
Diabetic foot screenings every 6 to 12 months conducted by a podiatrist are important if you have diabetes. Podiatrists are trained to spot subtle changes that signal trouble, even if you haven’t noticed any symptoms. A comprehensive screening typically includes:
Sensory Testing: Special tools assess your ability to feel light touch, vibration and temperature changes, detecting nerve damage.
Circulation Check: Taking pulses in your feet, examining skin colour and observing wound healing rates help evaluate blood flow.
Foot Structure and Gait: Podiatrists look for deformities or unusual pressure points and analyse your walking pattern to uncover underlying issues.
Podiatrists: Your Partners in Prevention & Treatment
Podiatrists play a crucial role in diabetic foot health, going far beyond screenings:
Routine Care: Safe nail trimming, addressing calluses and providing footwear advice.
Education: Teaching you proper foot care techniques, self-examination and how to identify warning signs.
Early Intervention: Treating any problems, such as ulcers or infections, to prevent them from escalating.
Advanced Treatment: Offering specialised wound care, orthotics or referrals to other specialists in complex cases.
Don’t Let Diabetes Dictate Your Foot Health
Proactive management is key. Daily self-checks and regular podiatry visits dramatically reduce your risk of debilitating foot complications. By empowering yourself with knowledge and utilising expert care, you can maintain healthy feet and a full, active life despite living with diabetes.