If you have diabetes, looking after your feet is one of the most important things you can do to protect your long term health. Diabetes can significantly impact your feet if they are not appropriately monitored and cared for. Changes in sensation, circulation and skin health can develop gradually, increasing the risk of complications if they are not identified and managed early.
At OnePointHealth Ryde, our Podiatrists provide comprehensive diabetic foot checks to assess your foot health, identify potential risks, and help prevent complications before they occur. Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes or have been living with the condition for many years, regular diabetic foot assessments are an essential part of your healthcare.
Why Do People with Diabetes Need Foot Checks?
Diabetes can damage the nerves (known as peripheral neuropathy) and reduce blood flow (peripheral arterial disease) to the feet. These changes can make it difficult to detect injuries such as cuts, blisters, burns or pressure areas. Reduced circulation may also slow healing, increasing the risk of infection, ulceration and other serious complications.
Many people are unaware these changes have occurred until complications develop. Routine diabetic foot assessments allow changes to be identified early, often before they become symptomatic.
Regular diabetic foot checks play an important role in reducing the risk of foot ulcers, infection and lower limb amputation through early detection, education and appropriate management.
Who Should Have a Diabetic Foot Check?
Everyone living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes should undergo regular diabetic foot assessments with a Podiatrist. The frequency of these assessments will depend on your individual risk factors and overall foot health.
More frequent reviews may be recommended for individuals who have reduced sensation, poor circulation, previous foot ulcers, foot deformities, kidney disease, diabetes-related complications or difficulty caring for their own feet. Even in the absence of symptoms, regular diabetic foot assessments remain an essential component of diabetes management, as many complications develop gradually and without obvious warning signs.
What Happens During a Diabetic Foot Assessment?
A diabetic foot check at our Ryde clinic is a comprehensive assessment designed to identify your individual risk and develop a plan to help keep your feet healthy.
1. Neurological and Vascular Assessment
Your Podiatrist will assess both the neurological and vascular health of your feet to identify any signs of nerve damage or reduced circulation. Detecting these changes early allows appropriate management strategies to be implemented before more significant complications develop.
2. Foot and Skin Examination
Your Podiatrist will carefully examine your feet for:
- Skin integrity
- Corns and calluses
- Cracks or fissures
- Blisters
- Nail conditions such as fungal infections or ingrown toenails
- Foot deformities including bunions, claw toes or prominent pressure areas
- Signs of infection or ulceration
3. Footwear Assessment
Appropriate footwear plays an important role in reducing pressure, preventing injury and protecting the feet. During your diabetic foot check, your Podiatrist will assess your footwear to ensure it provides appropriate fit, support and protection for your individual foot type and risk level. Where required, recommendations will be made regarding more suitable footwear or footwear modifications.
At OnePointHealth Ryde, we also stock a range of diabetes-friendly footwear designed to provide comfort, support and protection for at-risk feet. Click here to explore our range of diabetic footwear available at OnePointHealth Ryde.
4. Risk Categorisation
Following the assessment, your Podiatrist will determine your diabetic foot risk level using recognised clinical guidelines.
Risk categorisation helps determine:
- How often you should have Podiatry reviews.
- Whether additional investigations are required.
- Strategies to reduce your risk of future complications.
- Whether referral to other healthcare professionals is appropriate.
Patients identified as having an increased level of risk often benefit from ongoing monitoring to detect any changes as early as possible.
Personalised Education
Education is one of the most valuable components of a diabetic foot assessment.
Your Podiatrist will discuss practical strategies including:
- Daily foot inspections.
- Safe nail and skin care.
- Choosing appropriate footwear.
- When to seek urgent medical attention.
- Managing pressure areas.
- Preventing injuries around the home.
Providing patients with the knowledge and skills to care for their feet is an important part of preventing complications and maintaining long-term foot health.
Communication with Your Medical Practitioner
Following your diabetic foot assessment, a detailed report can be provided to your General Practitioner, Endocrinologist or other relevant members of your healthcare team outlining the findings of the assessment, your diabetic foot risk category and recommendations for ongoing management.
Where clinically indicated, your Podiatrist may also recommend further investigations, imaging or referral to other healthcare professionals, such as vascular specialists or multidisciplinary high-risk foot services, to ensure you receive the most appropriate care.
Working collaboratively with your General Practitioner, Endocrinologist and broader healthcare team helps ensure your diabetes is managed comprehensively.
Why Choose OnePointHealth Ryde?
Our experienced Podiatrists at OnePointHealth Ryde provide thorough diabetic foot assessments using evidence-based assessment techniques and current clinical guidelines.
We focus not only on identifying existing problems but also on preventing future complications through early detection, education and ongoing management. Our goal is to help people living with diabetes maintain healthy, active lifestyles while reducing the risk of serious foot complications.
Conveniently located in the Ryde District, OnePointHealth Ryde is committed to providing high-quality diabetic foot care tailored to your individual needs.
Book Your Diabetic Foot Check in Ryde
Regular diabetic foot checks are a simple but essential part of diabetes management. Early detection can make a significant difference in preventing ulcers, infections and other serious complications.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive diabetic foot check in Ryde or the Ryde District, our experienced Podiatrists are here to help. Contact OnePointHealth Ryde to book your assessment and take a proactive approach to your foot health.