Expert Diabetic Foot Care in Manly
Living with diabetes requires extra attention for your feet. The risks, like nerve damage and poor circulation, are serious but they are also manageable. Our comprehensive Diabetic Foot Health Assessments are designed to catch potential issues early, manage your foot health, and empower you to stay active and safe.
Why Your Foot Health is Our Priority
Diabetes can affect your feet in two primary ways. When combined, these changes can turn a minor problem, like a small blister, into a serious complication.
Over time, high blood glucose can damage the nerves in your feet, leading to a loss of sensation. This means you might not feel a small cut, a blister, or a pebble in your shoe. You could have an injury and not even know it.
Reduced Blood Flow (Circulation)
Diabetes can also affect your blood vessels, reducing blood flow to your legs and feet. Good circulation is essential for healing. When blood flow is poor, it takes much longer for a cut or sore to heal, which significantly increases the risk of infection.
Your Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Health Assessment
Prevention starts with a clear, accurate picture of your foot health. We don’t guess; we test.
Our Annual Diabetic Foot Health Assessment is a painless, in-depth check-up that gives us a vital baseline. This assessment is the most important step in preventing complications.
Vascular Assessment
We use a medical Doppler to listen to the blood flow in your feet, ensuring your circulation is strong enough to support healing.
Neurological Testing
We use a monofilament (a soft, non-invasive tool) to test the sensation in your feet, mapping any potential areas of nerve damage.
Full Skin & Nail Check
We conduct a thorough visual inspection of your entire foot, checking for potential risks like corns, calluses, ingrown nails, or early-stage sores.
Footwear Assessment
We check your regular shoes to ensure they fit correctly and aren’t causing hidden pressure or friction.
How We Manage Your Ongoing Foot Health
Routine Skin & Nail Care
For high-risk patients, self-cutting nails or managing corns can be dangerous. We provide safe, sterile medical-grade care to manage nails, corns, and calluses, preventing them from becoming a problem.
Wound & Ulcer Care
If a wound does occur, do not wait. We provide expert wound care management to promote healing and prevent infection, working closely with your GP.
Custom Orthotics & Footwear
We can prescribe and design custom orthotics to offload high-pressure areas and recommend medical-grade footwear that provides the protection and support you need.
Your Daily 5-Minute Foot Care Plan
We’re your partners in the clinic, but the most important checks happen at home. We empower you with a simple, effective daily routine.
Check your feet every day
Look for any changes: cuts, blisters, red spots, swelling, or changes in colour. Use a mirror if you can’t see the bottom of your feet.
Wash and dry your feet daily.
Use warm (not hot) water and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.
Moisturise your feet, but not between the toes.
This prevents your skin from cracking, which can let in infection.
Never walk barefoot.
Always wear shoes or slippers, even inside, to protect your feet from unseen hazards.
Wear well-fitting shoes and clean socks.
Check the inside of your shoes with your hand for any stones or rough seams before putting them on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover my diabetic foot assessment?
You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate for your podiatry visits. This requires a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, also known as an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) referral, from your GP. We recommend discussing this with your doctor to see if you qualify.
How often should I see a podiatrist for diabetes?
This depends on your risk level, which we determine at your first assessment.
- Low-risk patients generally require one comprehensive check-up every 12 months.
- Moderate or high-risk patients (e.g., those with nerve damage or poor circulation) require more frequent reviews, typically every 1 to 6 months, for ongoing care and monitoring.
What happens during a diabetic foot check-up?
Our diabetic assessment is comprehensive and completely painless. We will perform a series of tests, including:
- Checking your blood flow (circulation) using a non-invasive Doppler.
- Testing your nerve sensation (neuropathy) to check for any loss of feeling.
- A thorough inspection of your skin, nails, and foot structure for any high-risk areas.
Why are my feet at such high risk with diabetes?
The risk is a two-part problem. Firstly, diabetes can damage your nerves, which means you might not feel a small cut or blister. Secondly, it can reduce blood flow, which means your body can’t heal that small injury effectively. This combination is why a minor issue can quickly become serious.
What is the most important thing I can do to protect my feet at home?
Check your feet every single day. This is your most powerful tool. Look for any changes, no matter how small—like red spots, blisters, new corns, cuts, or swelling. Use a mirror to check the soles of your feet, or ask a family member to help.
