DIABETIC ASSESSMENT
Some of the most common complications experiences by diabetics are related to the foot. These may include numbness and/or tingling, temperature changes, weakness of foot muscles, stiffening of joints, changes to the shape of a foot, and skin changes such as increased dryness, cracked heels, digital hair loss and thinning of the skin.
Foot problems are common amongst the diabetic population as the feet are the furthest extremity from the heart and therefore are prone to complications due to possible disruption of blood flow and damage to the ends of long nerves originating from the spinal column.
A podiatric diabetic assessment assesses nerve function and blood flow to the feet. We test a number of different nerve fibres in the foot to provide a picture of the likelihood of unperceived injury occurring. We also assess the amount and quality of the blood flow reaching the feet to provide us with an insight into the foot's ability to heal effectively and efficiently.
Diabetic foot assessments are an essential tool to be performed annually in order to reduce and ultimately prevent the development of wounds and ulcers on the foot and ankle which if poorly managed can lead to hospitalisation and/or amputation.
