The Importance of Regular Foot Exams for Diabetic Patients: A Chiropodist's Perspective

Diabetes is a pervasive health issue of global proportions - affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Diabetes impacts the body in various ways, with complications that often include your feet. While many people have begun to understand the impacts of diabetes on the circulatory and digestive systems, fewer people recognize the critical role podiatry plays in managing diabetes. 

As a doctor of podiatric medicine and chiropodist who specializes in diabetic care, I’m eager to raise awareness of the importance of visiting your foot specialist as part of diabetic treatment. This is an important message not only for our patients at Hamilton Foot Care, but for the wider Hamilton, ON community and everyone across Ontario (as podiatry and chiropody are lesser known specialities in our province.)

The Importance of Routine Foot Exams for Diabetics

The feet are often overlooked when it comes to this chronic medical condition. Potential issues that may arise for those with diabetes include changes to the shape of your foot, which can cause bunions, hammertoes, and more. In addition, diabetes may cause -

• Peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve damage, can cause pain or numbness in one or both feet. This change makes it difficult for diabetics to know if their foot is injured.
• Poor blood circulation affects healing time and increases your risk of infections and ulcers.
• Dryness or changes to your skin. If the skin cracks, it could become infected if left untreated.

The Role of a Podiatrist or Chiropodist in Diabetic Foot Care

Podiatrists and chiropodists are trained to perform comprehensive foot examinations, the first defense for diabetics who are trying to avoid potential complications. Whether offered by a podiatrist or a chiropodist, these treatments and assessments may help in addition to regular foot exams for diabetics -

Circulation Assessments: High blood sugar often hinders proper circulation, especially in the lower extremities already fighting gravity. Chiropodists perform various diagnostic tests to evaluate the artery health of your feet.

Nerve Sensitivity Checks: Tests like the monofilament test or tuning fork test can be used to evaluate one’s sensitivity and reflexes. This provides an early intervention entry point that helps avoid the risk of severe complications.

Foot Ulcer Management: Foot ulcers are a significant concern for individuals with diabetes. Foot specialists can:

• Dress and clean wounds.
• Monitor healing progress.
• Treat infections.
• Offer guidance for wearing special footwear, preventing future ulcers, etc.

Pain Management: Podiatrists and chiropodists can –

• Prescribe medications or topical creams.
• Provide advice on exercise and lifestyle changes.
• Recommend physiotherapy and non-pharmaceutical pain management techniques.

Foot Hygiene Guidance:

• Daily self-examinations.
• Wearing appropriate footwear.
• Strategies for proper blood sugar control.
• Lifestyle modifications like exercise and diet

Prescribe custom-made orthotics. 

In more serious or advanced cases, surgery may be an option.

Don’t leave your foot specialist out of the equation when it comes to your routine diabetic care - there are plenty of qualified podiatrists and chiropodists across Ontario with special knowledge of your needs, who can be seen without a referral. 

Contact a Leading Hamilton, ON Chiropodist Near You

As a leading provider of comprehensive podiatric and chiropody services, foot specialist Corey Bess of Hamilton Foot Care is equipped with the skills and resources to manage your diabetic foot care. Contact a staff member at 905-389-9711 or online.