Diabetic foot health check | Fryern Foot care

Diabetic Foot Health Check

What foot problems can Diabetic patients develop?

Vascular issues

Prolonged periods of high blood sugar can cause the peripheral blood vessels to become furred up and narrower, restricting blood flow to the small capillaries in the body – in particular the eyes, kidneys and feet. Damage to the blood vessels leading to a reduction in blood flow to the feet is known as Peripheral Vascular Disease or PVD.

The higher blood sugar can also make the blood more viscous -or thick- so that it is less able to flow into the small capillaries. This has a specific effect on wound healing and leads to a higher risk of none healing ulcers and infections..

Nerve damage (neuropathy)

Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels that supply the nerves in your body. This stops essential nutrients reaching the nerves, which means the nerve fibres can become damaged, and they may even disappear.

The symptoms you have will depend on the type of nerves that have been damaged but some more common symptoms include:

altered sensation such as numbness, tingling or burning
pain
changes to normal body functions, like constipation or diarrhoea, bladder leaking
loss of reflexes and reduction in balance
Charcot joint - where damage to the foot when walking leads to damage to the bones in the foot..

Why is diabetic neuropathy sometimes painful?

The nerves carry chemical messages to and from the brain about what we can feel. When the nerves are damaged these messages can’t be sent properly which leads to a change in sensation or feeling. This can lead to feelings of numbness, tingling, burning, discomfort or shooting pains.

How can we help?

At the clinic we provide an appointment that will look at your foot health and pinpoint any issues and risk factors to help you manage your diabetic foot health. You will be provided with a report and a letter sent with the results to your GP or Diabetic Nurse

Vascular assessment

As well as a general doppler test where we listen to your pulses with a hand held doppler machine we provide another test that tests the blood pressure in your legs compared to your arms.

This is known as ABPI or Ankle-Brachial Pressure Index

This can tell us if there is any reduction in the blood supply to your lower legs and feet, whether it is significant and also we can review it yearly to see if there are any significant changes

We use an automated system that does not require resting before the appointment

It can be compared yearly to see any progressive change.

Neurological testing

We will test your sensation using a monofilament a neurotip and a 127Hrtz tuning fork to see if there are any signs of neuropathy

We can use a Neurosthesiometer for further testing if significant neuropathy is found.

Foot Scan for pressure detection

Even if there is no evidence of neuropathy or vascular issues the diabetic foot needs to be looked after and our state-of -the-art Gait and Motion foot scan which will show us if any areas which are at risk of damage when standing and walking.

Areas under excess pressure can be at risk of blistering and ulceration.

Advice and prevention

After the appointment we can discuss any areas of concern, write to the GP with our findings and any risk factors, discuss any needs for further general care or insoles/footwear to help prevent pressure and damage.

Diabetic assessment appointments

Existing patients £100

New patients £125

Please note there is no general care in this appointment but if it is required a further appointment can be made at the normal price for general care

Please wear loose or short sleeves
Wear clothes that will allow access to your lower leg easily
Bring your latest HBA1C test results
Appointments last from 40-60 minutes