Diabetes can have a major impact on your feet, often leading to issues such as numbness, slow healing wounds, or increased risk of infections. Even small cuts, blisters, or changes in skin and nails can quickly turn into serious problems if not managed properly. Regular podiatry care plays a key role in preventing complications and keeping your feet healthy, comfortable, and active.
At Sydney Podiatry Foot and Ankle Clinic, we take a thorough and gentle approach to diabetes foot care. From routine diabetic foot assessments to managing wounds, nerve testing, circulation checks, and recommending the right footwear, we provide tailored care to protect your long-term foot health. Whether you are experiencing pain, tingling, or just want to prevent future complications, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Diabetes podiatry is the specialised care of the feet and lower legs for people living with diabetes. Because diabetes can reduce circulation and damage nerves, even small problems such as blisters, nail changes, or dry skin can develop into serious issues like diabetic foot ulcers, infections, or sores on feet from diabetes if left untreated.
A diabetes podiatrist focusses on:
Carrying out a diabetic foot exam to check blood flow, nerve health, and skin condition.
Treating concerns such as diabetic toenails, dry feet in diabetes, puffy feet diabetes, and foot pain in the morning diabetes.
Helping to prevent complications like ulcers on feet from diabetes, foot infections, and swelling in the legs and feet.
Providing guidance on shoes for diabetics, diabetic socks, and safe daily footcare.
Regular podiatry care is an important part of diabetes management. It helps to reduce risks, supports healing, and keeps you active, comfortable, and confident in your everyday life.
Living with diabetes means your feet require extra care and ongoing attention. High blood sugar levels can gradually damage the nerves in your feet (a condition known as diabetic neuropathy) and restrict blood circulation. Poor circulation makes it harder for cuts, blisters, or sores to heal, while nerve damage can reduce feeling in your feet, so you may not even notice a small injury when it occurs.
Because of this, people with diabetes are more prone to foot issues such as blisters, dry feet diabetes, nail changes, sores on feet from diabetes, and diabetic foot ulcers. Something as minor as a pressure sore on toes, a blister from shoes, or red spots on feet diabetes can quickly develop into a serious complication if left untreated. Infections, ulceration, or tissue damage can occur, which in severe cases may lead to long-term disability.
This is why regular diabetes foot care with a podiatrist is so important. Ongoing care can:
Detect early warning signs of foot problems — including diabetic foot ulcers, swelling in feet, red patches on feet diabetes, or skin changes — before they progress into more complex conditions.
Reduce the risk of serious complications such as ulcers on feet from diabetes, diabetic toe ulcers, or infections, which can be difficult and painful to treat if not caught early.
Relieve discomfort from everyday symptoms, including foot pain in the morning diabetes, puffy feet diabetes, or diabetic toenail problems, helping you stay comfortable and mobile.
Support long-term foot health through personalised guidance on shoes for diabetics, diabetic socks, and safe daily footcare routines that lower the risk of future problems.
At Sydney Podiatry Foot and Ankle Clinic, we provide complete care for people living with diabetes. Our goal is to prevent complications, detect issues early, and keep your feet healthy for the long term. Whether you are dealing with foot pain in the morning diabetes, dry feet diabetes, swelling in feet, or diabetic toenail problems, our podiatry services are tailored to your needs.
Our diabetes podiatry and foot care services include:
Comprehensive diabetic foot exams – checking circulation, nerve function, skin changes, and nails to identify risks such as diabetic foot ulcers, red spots on feet diabetes, or sores on feet from diabetes.
Wound and ulcer management – providing care for ulcers on feet from diabetes, diabetic toe ulcers, or pressure sore toes, and creating treatment plans to support healing.
Nail and skin care – treating diabetic toenails, thickened nails, fungal infections, and dry feet diabetes to reduce discomfort and prevent complications.
Footwear and orthotic advice – recommending shoes for diabetics, socks for diabetics, and custom orthotics to improve comfort and protect your feet from injury.
Preventive care and education – guidance on daily footcare routines, managing blisters on feet diabetes, and recognising early signs of infection.
With regular podiatry care, many of the serious risks associated with diabetes can be reduced or avoided altogether. Our clinic is here to help you stay mobile, safe, and confident with every step.
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.
Ulcers on feet from diabetes or wounds that are slow to heal – any cut, scratch, or sore that does not improve within a few days should be checked. Delayed healing can be a sign of poor circulation or infection.
Sores on feet from diabetes, blisters, or skin ulcers that are red, swollen, or painful – these can develop into diabetic foot ulcers if not treated quickly.
Red patches on feet diabetes or red toes diabetes – redness may point to infection, inflammation, or reduced blood flow.
Swelling in feet or ankles, especially if sudden or painful – this could signal circulation problems, infection, or other complications linked to diabetes and feet swelling.
Foot pain in the morning diabetes that does not improve with rest – pain may be caused by neuropathy, circulation issues, or pressure sores.
Signs of infection – such as pus, a foul odour, warmth around the area, or redness that spreads up the foot or leg. These infections can progress quickly in people with diabetes.
Changes in toenails or skin – thickened or ingrown nails, fungal nail infections, dry feet diabetes, or cracks in the skin increase the risk of infection.
Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations – symptoms of diabetic neuropathy that may reduce your ability to feel pain or injury in your feet.
When you visit a podiatrist for diabetes and feet care, the goal is to identify problems early, manage existing issues, and prevent serious complications such as diabetic foot ulcers, infections, or sores on feet from diabetes.
Here’s what usually happens during a diabetes podiatry appointment:
1. Comprehensive Medical History
Your podiatrist will review your diabetes history, including:
2. Neurologic Assessment – Nerve Testing
Diabetes can cause nerve damage (neuropathy), which reduces your ability to feel pain, heat, or injury in your feet. The podiatrist will:
3. Vascular Assessment – Blood Flow Testing
Circulation is vital for healing. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels, leading to puffy feet diabetes, red toes diabetes, or foot swelling. Your podiatrist will:
4. Physical Examination
5. Treatment & Immediate Care
6. Personalised Diabetes Foot Care Plan
Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes or diabetic shoes to help your podiatrist assess pressure areas and foot support.
Bring details of your diabetes history, medications, recent blood sugar results (HbA1c), and any past foot issues such as ulcers or infections.
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.
Prepare any questions about daily footcare, socks for diabetics, or shoes for diabetics so you can leave with a personalised care plan.
Comprehensive assessment of your child’s feet, ankles, and gait.
Personalised care for your child's needs, explained in simple terms.
Guidance to reduce risk and support healthy, happy feet.
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.
