Diabetic foot care
Diabetic foot care protects your feet when diabetes affects circulation and feeling. Fiona Shepes checks your circulation with a Doppler ultrasound and tests the feeling in your feet. A standard consultation is from $90, and you can book online.
Why diabetes affects the feet
Diabetes can damage the nerve endings in your feet, and this condition is called peripheral neuropathy. Reduced feeling means you may not notice a cut, blister or sore until it becomes a bigger problem. Diabetes can affect your circulation as well, and poor blood flow means less oxygen reaching the tissues of your feet. Wounds can then take longer to heal, and infection becomes more likely. This is why daily foot care and regular podiatry checks matter when you have diabetes. Your GP or endocrinologist manages your diabetes medicines, while Fiona looks after your feet.
Diabetic foot assessment
A diabetic foot assessment at The Fresh Foot Centre checks the things diabetes can change in your feet. She uses a Doppler ultrasound to check the blood flow to your feet, which is a non-invasive test with no needles. She tests the feeling in your feet to find any areas of reduced sensation. The assessment covers your skin and nails as well, including corns, callus, cracks and nail problems. Fiona checks your footwear and can refer you for an X-ray, ultrasound or MRI when needed. People with diabetes should have their feet checked at least once a year, and more often when feeling or circulation is reduced or there has been a foot ulcer. Fiona tells you what interval suits your feet.
Looking after your feet at home
Daily foot care lowers your risk of problems between assessments. These checks take only a few minutes:
- Wash your feet each day and dry them carefully, including between the toes.
- Check your feet daily for sores, cuts, bruises and nail changes; use a mirror to see the soles.
- Cut your toenails straight across, not into the corners.
- Never remove corns or callus yourself; see a podiatrist for that.
- Wear well-fitting shoes and never go barefoot, even at home.
- Avoid tight socks and hosiery that can restrict circulation.
Paying for diabetic foot care
A standard consultation is from $90. HICAPS is available on site for private health fund claims on the day, and your rebate depends on your fund and extras cover. Your GP can set up a Medicare chronic condition management plan with a referral; this pays a Medicare benefit of $63.40 per eligible visit (item 10962), with up to 5 rebated allied health visits a calendar year in total, and you pay the clinic fee plus a gap. DVA Gold card holders pay no out-of-pocket costs, White card holders pay a gap for accepted conditions, and DVA needs a referral. NDIS participants with self-managed, plan-managed or agency-managed plans can use their funding. See our podiatry fees page for details.
When to get help urgently
Some foot changes need same-day attention. Contact your GP or go to an emergency department when you notice a wound that is not healing, a sore that is warm, swollen, red or oozing, a bad smell from a wound, new pain, or a change in the colour of your foot or toes. Rapid swelling in one foot also needs urgent review. Fiona can refer you back to your GP when a problem needs medical care beyond the clinic.
Questions
How often should a diabetic see a podiatrist?
People with diabetes should have their feet checked at least once a year. You may need checks more often when you have reduced feeling, poor circulation or a history of ulcers. Fiona advises an interval that suits your feet.
What happens in a diabetic foot assessment?
Fiona checks the blood flow to your feet with a Doppler ultrasound. She tests the feeling in your feet, examines your skin and nails, and checks your footwear. She can refer you for imaging or back to your GP when something needs further care.
Does Medicare cover podiatry for diabetes?
Your GP can set up a chronic condition management plan with a referral. This provides a Medicare benefit of $63.40 per eligible visit, up to 5 rebated allied health visits a calendar year in total. You pay the clinic fee plus a gap.
Can a podiatrist cut diabetic toenails?
Yes. Nail cutting and care is part of general podiatry at the clinic. Safe nail care matters when you have diabetes, especially when your feeling or eyesight makes self-cutting risky. Book a standard consultation from $90.