Diabetes Assessments
Living with diabetes and concerned about your foot health?
If you’re living with diabetes, looking after your feet is more than just routine self care, it’s a crucial part of protecting your overall health. At Port Stephens Podiatry, diabetic foot care is something we take very seriously, because we know how quickly minor issues can turn into complex complications.
Diabetes can affect your nerves, blood flow, and skin, often so gradually that changes go unnoticed at first. Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or managing diabetes for years, regular podiatry assessments are essential for catching changes early, preventing wounds and infections, and keeping you comfortably on your feet.
Our experienced podiatrists can assess your feet, check for risk factors and provide practical advice to help you care for your feet with confidence.
Book an appointment today and take the first step towards more comfortable feet
Does This Sound Familiar?
You can benefit from a diabetic foot assessment if you’re experiencing:
Sensation Changes: Numbness, tingling, burning, or cold feet.
Skin & Nail Issues: Slow-healing cuts, dry/cracked skin, calluses, or thick toenails.
Pain or Discomfort: Swelling, redness, or changes in balance and walking comfort.
General Maintenance: Newly diagnosed with diabetes, or finding it difficult to reach and care for your feet safely at home.
Not every diabetes related foot concern causes pain, which is why a regular foot assessment is the best place to start.
If you notice an open wound, spreading redness, swelling, discharge, sudden colour change, increasing pain or signs of infection, seek urgent medical advice.
What Are Diabetes Foot Assessments?
Diabetes can sometimes affect the feet by reducing sensation, changing circulation, increasing pressure areas or making the skin more vulnerable to injury. When sensation is reduced, small cuts, blisters or pressure marks may go unnoticed and can become more serious without timely care.
During a diabetes foot assessment, your podiatrist may check:
Nerves & Circulation: Testing light touch, vibration, and blood flow to check overall vascular and nerve health.
Skin & Nail Health: Screening for corns, calluses, thick nails, friction areas, or slow-healing wounds.
Foot Structure & Footwear: Assessing your foot shape and shoes to prevent pressure points and rubbing.
Self-Care & Mobility: Checking for any difficulties you might have safely reaching or caring for your feet at home.
The goal is to understand your current foot health, identify risks early and provide advice that helps reduce the chance of future problems.
Your Treatment Journey
Assessment
We’ll take the time to understand your diabetes history, foot concerns, medical background, footwear and any changes you may have noticed in your feet.
Diagnosis
Our podiatrists will assess your skin, nails, circulation, sensation, pressure areas and general foot health to identify any risk factors or concerns.
Treatment Plan
We’ll explain your results clearly and recommend an approach based on your individual foot health, risk level and ongoing care needs.
Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetes foot care may include:
Professional Skin and Nail Care: Safe toenail trimming, gentle corn and callus removal, and monitoring of pressure areas.
Custom Pressure Relief: Footwear advice and custom orthotics to offload pressure, reduce friction, and prevent sores.
Daily Self Care Guidance: Easy tips for at home foot checks and clear guidelines on when to seek urgent care.
Wound care: Diabetic foot ulcers can be common, and early intervention is key. We provide expert wound management with debridement and offloading techniques to encourage healing.
Coordinated GP Support: Working closely with your GP and healthcare team to ensure your overall medical care stays connected.
At home, it’s essential to check your feet daily, including the soles, heels, between the toes and around the nail edges. Look for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, cracks, discharge, colour changes or anything unusual.
If checking your feet is difficult, a mirror or help from a family member or carer may make it easier. Regular podiatry care can also help support safer long term foot management.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Diabetes can affect the nerves, circulation and skin of the feet. Regular foot checks can help identify changes early and reduce the risk of wounds, infections and other complications.
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Many people with diabetes are advised to have their feet checked at least once a year. Some people may need more frequent reviews, especially if they have reduced sensation, poor circulation, previous ulcers or other risk factors.
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Your podiatrist may check your skin, toenails, circulation, sensation, pressure areas, footwear and any signs of wounds, infection or delayed healing.
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Warning signs include cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, pus or discharge, colour changes, cracked skin, ulcers, increasing pain, numbness, tingling or any wound that is not healing.
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Yes. A podiatrist can safely trim toenails and manage thickened or difficult nails. This is especially important if you have reduced feeling, poor circulation or difficulty caring for your feet safely.
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Yes. Diabetes can sometimes affect the nerves, which may lead to numbness, tingling, burning or reduced sensation in the feet. If you notice these changes, it is important to have your feet assessed.
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Shoes should generally fit well, provide protection, reduce rubbing and provide enough room for the toes. Your podiatrist can assess your footwear and recommend options based on your foot shape and risk level.
Ready to Feel More Comfortable on Your Feet?
If you are living with diabetes, regular foot care can help identify concerns early and support healthier feet over time. Our team is here to assess your foot health, explain your options clearly and provide practical guidance tailored to your needs.
Book an appointment today and let us help you take the first step towards more comfortable feet.