Diabetes Podiatry

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Healthy Feet Start with Diabetes Care

Diabetes can affect circulation and nerve sensitivity, making your feet more vulnerable to injury, slow-healing wounds, and infection. Even a small cut or blister can quickly turn into a more serious problem if not treated properly.
At Sydney Podiatry, we provide comprehensive diabetic foot ulcer treatment and ongoing diabetes podiatry care to protect your long-term foot health. Our podiatrists perform detailed diabetic foot assessments, check nerve function and blood flow, manage wounds, and recommend appropriate footwear to keep your feet healthy and active.
Whether you’re experiencing numbness, tingling, or simply want to prevent complications, our goal is to keep you moving safely and confidently.

What is Diabetes Podiatry?

Diabetes podiatry focuses on the specialised care of the feet and lower legs for people living with diabetes. Reduced blood flow and nerve function can cause small problems—like nail changes, dry skin, or blisters—to become ulcers or infections if left untreated.

Our diabetes podiatrist focuses on:

  • Perform full foot exams to assess circulation, nerve health, and skin condition.

  • Treat issues such as thickened toenails, dry feet, swelling, or soreness related to diabetes.

  • Help prevent complications such as diabetic foot ulcers, infections, or tissue breakdown.

  • Offer advice on safe footwear, diabetic socks, and effective home foot-care routines.

Consistent podiatry care is a key part of diabetes management, helping to reduce risk, support healing, and maintain comfort and mobility.

Why Foot Health Matters in Diabetes

Living with diabetes means your feet require ongoing care and professional attention. High blood sugar levels can gradually damage the nerves in your feet — a condition called diabetic neuropathy — and reduce blood circulation. Poor circulation makes it harder for cuts, blisters, or sores to heal, while nerve damage can reduce sensation, meaning you might not notice small injuries right away.

Because of this, people with diabetes are more prone to foot complications, including blisters, dry skin, nail changes, and diabetic foot ulcers. Even a minor issue, such as a blister from shoes or a pressure sore, can quickly develop into a more serious condition if untreated. Without timely diabetic foot ulcer treatment, infections or tissue damage may occur, potentially leading to long-term mobility problems.

That’s why regular visits to a diabetes podiatry specialist are so important. Professional podiatry care helps prevent complications, maintain healthy circulation, and protect your long-term foot health.

Regular Diabetes Podiatry Care Can:

  • Detect early warning signs of issues like diabetic foot ulcers, swelling, skin changes, or red patches, before they progress into complex conditions.
  • Lower the risk of serious complications such as ulcers on feet from diabetes, diabetic toe ulcers, and foot infections, which can be painful and difficult to manage if not treated early.
  • Relieve discomfort from everyday symptoms, including foot pain in diabetes, swollen feet, or diabetic toenail problems, helping you stay active and comfortable.
  • Support long-term foot health through personalised guidance on diabetic footwear, socks for diabetes, and safe daily foot care routines to prevent future issues.

Diabetes Podiatry & Foot Care Services

At Sydney Podiatry Foot and Ankle Clinic, we provide expert diabetes podiatry and comprehensive diabetic foot care to help patients manage their foot health with confidence.
Our goal is to prevent complications, detect issues early, and keep your feet healthy for the long term.

Whether you’re experiencing foot pain from diabetes, dry or cracked feet, swelling, or diabetic toenail problems, our tailored podiatry services ensure you receive the care and guidance you need.

Our Diabetes Podiatry and Foot Care Services Include:

  • Comprehensive diabetic foot exams – Thorough assessments of circulation, nerve function, skin condition, and nails to identify risks such as diabetic foot ulcers, red patches, or sores on feet from diabetes.
    Our early detection approach helps prevent complications and promotes long-term mobility.

  • Wound and ulcer management –Specialised diabetic foot ulcer treatment for conditions like ulcers on feet from diabetes, diabetic toe ulcers, and pressure sores.
    We create personalised care and wound-healing plans to reduce infection risk and support faster recovery.

  • Nail and skin care – Gentle, professional treatment for diabetic toenails, thickened or fungal nails, and dry feet.
    Regular diabetes podiatry visits reduce discomfort, prevent infections, and help maintain healthy skin and nails.

  • Footwear and orthotic advice – Our podiatrists recommend diabetic shoes, socks for diabetics, and custom orthotics to protect your feet, improve balance, and reduce pressure points.
    Proper footwear is key in preventing injuries and ulcers.

  • Preventive care and education –We provide guidance on daily diabetic foot care routines, managing blisters and calluses, and recognising early signs of infection or neuropathy.
    We aim to empower you to take control of your foot health between visits.

With regular visits to our diabetic foot clinic in Sydney, many serious risks associated with diabetes can be reduced or completely avoided.
Our team of experienced Sydney podiatrists is dedicated to helping you stay mobile, safe, and pain-free — every step of the way.

When Should You See a Podiatrist Immediately?

If you are living with diabetes, even the smallest changes in your feet should never be ignored. High blood sugar can slow down healing and affect circulation, which means minor injuries may turn into major problems if left untreated. A podiatrist can detect issues early and provide treatment before they become serious.

What to Expect During Diabetes Podiatry Appointment

Our podiatrists provide a complete, step-by-step assessment to ensure your feet receive the care they need.

 

1. Medical Review

Your podiatrist begins by reviewing your overall diabetes history, including:

  • Blood sugar control and recent HbA1c results
  • Any previous foot ulcers, blisters, or infections
  • Current symptoms such as foot pain, swelling, or dryness related to diabetes
  • Medications, allergies, and notes from your GP or endocrinologist.

This helps us design a personalised diabetic foot care plan suited to your health and lifestyle.

2. Neurologic Assessment – Nerve Testing

Because diabetes can cause neuropathy (nerve damage), your podiatrist will:

  • Use gentle tests to check reflexes, sensitivity, and pressure response
  • Identify numbness, tingling, or burning that could increase your risk of unnoticed sores or wounds.

Early nerve screening is key to preventing complications such as foot ulcers and loss of sensation.

3. Vascular Assessment – Blood Flow Testing

Healthy circulation is vital for healing. High blood sugar can affect blood flow, leading to swelling, redness, or delayed wound recovery.
During this step, your podiatrist will:

  • Check pulses in your feet and ankles
  • Observe colour, temperature, and healing rate
  • Identify early signs of restricted blood flow or vascular changes 

4. Physical Examination

Your feet are carefully examined for:

  • Skin problems — dryness, cracks, corns, calluses, or blisters
  • Nail issues — thickened, fungal, or ingrown nails
  • Foot shape and pressure areas — to spot deformities or high-pressure zones
  • Footwear safety — ensuring your shoes and socks protect diabetic feet effectively

5. Treatment & Immediate Care

Depending on your needs, your podiatrist may provide:

  • Debridement (safe removal of hard or dead skin)
  • Nail care to prevent ingrown or infected toenails
  • Wound or ulcer management, including dressings and follow-up care
  • Recommendations for diabetic shoes, socks, or custom orthotics to protect your feet

Our gentle, evidence-based approach supports faster healing and greater comfort.

6. Personalised Diabetes Foot Care Plan

At the end of your visit, you’ll receive a custom diabetes podiatry plan that outlines:

  • Your current risk level (low, moderate, or high)
  • Recommended check-up schedule
  • Daily care steps — washing, moisturising, and monitoring changes
  • Tips to boost circulation and reduce the risk of future diabetic foot ulcers

Preparing for Your Diabetes Podiatry Appointment

Footwear Check

Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes or diabetic shoes to help your podiatrist assess pressure areas and foot support.

Bring Medical Records

Bring details of your diabetes history, medications, recent blood sugar results (HbA1c), and any past foot issues such as ulcers or infections.

Note Symptoms

Write down any foot changes you’ve noticed, such as swelling in feet, red patches, foot pain in the morning diabetes, or sores on feet from diabetes.

Plan for Questions

Prepare any questions about daily footcare, socks for diabetics, or shoes for diabetics so you can leave with a personalised care plan.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Foot Health Check

Comprehensive assessment of your child’s feet, ankles, and gait.

Treatment Plan

Personalised care for your child's needs, explained in simple terms.

Preventive Advice

Guidance to reduce risk and support healthy, happy feet.

Quick FAQ

A podiatrist uses a combination of diagnostic tools and techniques, such as sensory testing, nerve conduction studies, and physical exams, to assess nerve damage in the feet. This comprehensive evaluation helps identify any areas of nerve impairment, such as neuropathy, and determine the best course of treatment.

Common signs of nerve damage in the feet include numbness, tingling, burning sensations, sharp or shooting pain, and weakness. You may also notice difficulty feeling temperature changes or a reduced sense of balance. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to consult a podiatrist for a thorough evaluation.

Treatment for nerve damage in the feet may include pain management through medications, physical therapy, custom orthotics, or lifestyle changes to improve circulation and reduce pressure on the nerves. In some cases, more advanced therapies such as nerve blocks or surgery may be considered, depending on the severity of the condition. Your podiatrist will work with you to develop a personalised treatment plan to address your specific needs.

Medicare offers coverage for various foot care treatments under primary care plans. Our team will help you navigate and utilise your Medicare benefits, ensuring you receive the necessary treatments while making the most of your coverage. We work with you to create a customised care plan that aligns with your needs, helping you access affordable foot care.

Medicare generally covers a range of foot care treatments, including those related to diabetes management, wound care, and certain surgical procedures. The specific coverage depends on your individual health needs and plan. We will work with you to determine which treatments are eligible for Medicare funding and develop a plan based on your specific condition.

Our team takes the time to assess your individual foot care needs and works with you to create a customised treatment plan. We’ll guide you through the process of obtaining coverage under Medicare and help you make informed decisions about the treatments best suited to your condition and goals.

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