Diabetic Feet: Why Regular Checks Matter and How a Podiatrist Can Help
A small blister on a diabetic foot can become a serious wound faster than many people expect. That is the danger. Diabetes can change how feet feel, heal and fight infection, often long before pain appears.
Across Australia, diabetic foot disease is a major health issue. It leads to thousands of hospital admissions each year, and many lower limb amputations are linked to diabetes-related foot ulcers. The hardest part is that many of these problems are preventable with early checks, good footwear, daily self-care and regular podiatry.
This article is general information only and does not replace medical advice. If a foot wound, infection or sudden change appears, seek urgent care.
Why diabetes can be hard on your feet
Diabetes can affect feet in two main ways.
The first is nerve damage, also called peripheral neuropathy. This can reduce feeling in the feet. A person may not notice a stone in a shoe, a hot surface, a cut toenail, rubbing from footwear or a small blister. Without pain as a warning sign, damage can continue.
The second is reduced blood flow. Poor circulation can slow healing and make infections harder to fight. A small crack in the skin can turn into an ulcer. If infection spreads, it can become a medical emergency.
Diabetes may also change the shape of the foot over time. Pressure can build under certain areas, especially the ball of the foot, heels and toes. Corns, callouses and thick toenails can then increase the risk of skin breakdown.
The problem is often silent. Feet may look “fine” until they are not.
The Australian stats are confronting
Diabetes is one of Australia’s most common chronic conditions. More than 1.5 million Australians are registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme, and many more may be living with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
The foot-related numbers are especially serious.
Australian estimates commonly suggest diabetes-related foot disease leads to thousands of hospital admissions and thousands of lower limb amputations each year.
Some Australian diabetes and foot health organisations have reported figures in the range of around 10,000 hospital admissions and more than 4,000 diabetes-related amputations annually. Estimates also suggest most diabetes-related lower limb amputations are preceded by a foot ulcer.
Those numbers are shocking because the starting point is often small: a blister, a callus, a crack between the toes, an ingrown toenail or a wound that does not heal.
The good news is that regular assessment can lower risk. A diabetic feet check is not just a quick look. It is a structured health check that helps identify problems early, before they become harder to treat.
What happens during a diabetic foot check
A podiatrist checks much more than toenails. A proper assessment usually looks at skin, circulation, nerve health, footwear and walking patterns.
A podiatrist may check:
Sensation
Light touch, pressure or vibration tests can show whether protective feeling has changed.
Blood flow
Pulses, skin temperature, colour and healing history can give clues about circulation.
Skin and nails
Cracks, callous, corns, fungal changes, thick nails and pressure areas can all matter.
Foot shape and pressure
Bunions, claw toes, flat feet, high arches or pressure points can increase ulcer risk.
Footwear
Shoes that are too tight, worn down or poorly fitted can quietly cause damage.
Wounds or infection signs
Redness, swelling, discharge, odour, heat or delayed healing need attention.
The podiatrist may also explain your risk level and recommend how often to return. Some people need an annual check. Others need visits every few weeks or months, especially if they have neuropathy, circulation problems, previous ulcers or previous amputation.
What podiatrists do for diabetic feet
Podiatrists play a key role in prevention, early treatment and ongoing care. This is where podiatry diabetes care becomes practical and protective.
Common podiatry care may include:
Safe trimming of thick, curved or difficult nails
Removal of callous and corns to reduce pressure
Treatment of cracked heels, fungal skin or nail problems
Advice on moisturisers, socks and daily checks
Management of ingrown toenails
Wound care and offloading pressure from ulcers
Footwear advice and fitting guidance
Orthotics or padding when pressure needs to be reduced
Referrals to a GP, vascular specialist, diabetes educator or wound clinic when needed
A podiatrist can also help spot patterns. For example, callous under the same spot each visit may mean too much pressure is building there. Removing the callus helps, but finding the cause matters too.
That could mean changing shoes, adding padding, using orthotics or adjusting activity.
When to see a podiatrist sooner
Do not wait for a routine appointment if something changes. Seek podiatry or medical care quickly if you notice:
A cut, blister or sore that is not healing
Redness, warmth or swelling
Pus, discharge or an unusual smell
Black, blue or pale areas of skin
New pain, burning, tingling or numbness
A toenail digging into the skin
A sudden change in foot shape
Cracks between the toes or around the heel
Shoes suddenly rubbing or feeling different
If there are signs of infection, spreading redness, fever or a deep wound, contact a GP, urgent care service or emergency department.
Private podiatry appointments and Medicare options
You do not need a referral to see a podiatrist privately in Australia. You can book directly with a podiatry clinic, including our clinic in Applecross, Western Australia.
Private appointments are often the fastest path if a new concern appears, or if regular preventive care is needed.
Medicare may also help in some cases. People with diabetes may be eligible for podiatry visits under a GP-arranged chronic condition management plan, sometimes still called a Chronic Disease Management plan. A GP decides whether a person qualifies. If approved, Medicare rebates may apply for a limited number of allied health visits per calendar year.
This can make ongoing foot care more accessible, especially when diabetes is part of a broader long-term health plan.
Private health insurance may also provide podiatry benefits, depending on the policy.
Simple foot care habits that help between visits
Daily habits matter because many serious diabetic foot problems begin quietly.
Try to build these into a routine:
Check both feet every day, including between the toes and under the heel
Use a mirror or ask someone for help if seeing the soles is difficult
Wash feet gently and dry carefully between the toes
Moisturise dry skin, but avoid putting cream between the toes
Wear clean, dry socks
Check inside shoes before putting them on
Avoid walking barefoot, even at home
Cut nails carefully, or have them trimmed by a podiatrist if they are thick or hard to manage
Do not cut corns or callus yourself
Avoid over-the-counter corn pads unless a clinician has advised them
These steps sound simple, but they reduce risk. The aim is to find small problems early and prevent pressure, rubbing and wounds.
Regular checks are a form of protection
Diabetic foot care is not only about treating problems after they appear. It is about staying ahead of them.
A podiatrist can check nerve function, circulation, skin, nails, pressure points and footwear. They can treat small issues before they become serious and guide safer day-to-day care.
If diabetes is part of life, regular foot checks should be part of the health routine too. Book privately if you want direct access, or speak with a GP about whether a chronic condition management plan through Medicare is suitable. The earlier a foot problem is found, the more options there are to protect mobility, comfort and independence.
Book your next diabetic check with Performance Podiatry Perth in Applecross WA; where you don't need to be an athlete to get back to your peak performance.
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