The Importance of Foot Exam

People maybe not aware if people with diabetes should have their feet examined at least once a year by a doctor such as podiatrists or nurses. In addition to regular foot exams every six months, qualified podiatrists can warn you about risks and problems and suggest treatment. The goal of regular, thorough foot exams is to prevent complications.

These are some things that podiatrists, nurses and your health care provider can do to examine your feet:

• Help diagnose and treat problems before they cause serious harm to your feet or lower legs.
• Help you protect your feet from the effects of chronic and/or acute conditions.
• Help you avoid further complications.
• Make the right choices to prevent problems before they occur.
• Treat the feet early and keep them healthy.

What are the symptoms of an infection in the feet?

The most common symptoms of foot and leg problems are:

• Redness of the skin on the feet and/or toes
• Skin lesions on the feet and/or toes
• Fever or loss of temperature control
• Redness, soreness or pain in the leg
• Redness, soreness or pain in the foot or toes
• Cramps, swelling, warmth

To avoid feet or leg problems, you need to do feet examined at least once a year. Make sure you don't miss the appointment. Ask the physician to check your feet for you. You may have to see the doctor three to six times in one year.

By doing a diabetic foot exam, a podiatrist can assess a variety of things to determine whether a diabetic foot ulcer or wound is present. This includes the presence of bleeding, changes in pain, drainage, and a callus in a specific area of the foot. The goal is to detect potential problems before they get worse, causing damage to the patient’s feet or other parts of their body.