For People in Cheltenham, Cirencester & the South West
If you have diabetes and live in Cheltenham, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Somerset or Worcestershire, you should have a diabetes foot check every year as part of your routine NHS diabetes care.
Your foot check (also called diabetic foot screening) is part of your annual diabetes review. It is free on the NHS and plays a vital role in preventing serious foot problems, ulcers and amputations.
People with diabetes are more likely to develop foot problems, but most serious complications can be prevented by attending your foot checks and knowing what to look out for.
Why Your Annual Diabetes Foot Check Is So Important
Diabetes leads to around 184 leg, foot or toe amputations every week in the UK.
That’s:
- 26 amputations every day
- 1 amputation every hour
Many of these amputations could be avoided through:
- Regular foot checks
- Early detection of problems
- Prompt referral to specialist foot services
Attending your NHS foot check in Cheltenham, Cirencester and across the South West can help protect your feet and your independence.
Who Should Have a Diabetes Foot Check?
Everyone with diabetes should have a foot check:
- At least once a year
- Sometimes every two years if your last check showed no problems
Your foot check is arranged through your:
- GP practice
- Diabetes clinic
Even if you already see a podiatrist or foot specialist, you should still attend your routine NHS foot check unless advised otherwise.
How to Check Your Feet at Home
In addition to your annual foot check, it’s important to check your feet every day.
Daily foot checks help you spot:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Cuts or blisters
- Broken skin
- Changes in shape or colour
If you notice any changes, contact your GP or local foot protection team straight away.
What Happens at Your Diabetes Foot Check?
Your diabetes foot check is carried out by a trained healthcare professional and includes:
Visual Foot Examination
You’ll be asked to remove shoes and socks so they can check:
- The tops and soles of your feet
- Between your toes
- Skin condition and nail health
- Any signs of pressure, wounds or infection
Circulation Check
They will assess blood flow by:
- Feeling for pulses in your feet
- Or using a Doppler ultrasound device to listen to blood flow
Nerve Sensation Check
They will test feeling in your feet using:
- A monofilament (a thin plastic strand)
- A tuning fork
This checks for peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage).
Questions About Your Feet and Diabetes
You may be asked:
- Have you noticed cuts, blisters, corns or broken skin?
- Have you ever had a foot ulcer or wound?
- Do you experience pain or discomfort?
- How often do you check your feet?
- Do you get cramp-like pain when walking?
- How is your diabetes management going?
Know Your Risk of a Foot Problem
After your foot check, your healthcare team will explain your foot risk level:
Low Risk
- No nerve damage or circulation problems
- Possibly a callus only
Moderate Risk
- One sign of a foot problem (e.g. reduced feeling or foot shape change)
High Risk
- More than one sign of a foot problem
- Kidney dialysis
- Previous foot ulcer or amputation
Active Foot Problem
- A current serious issue such as an ulcer or spreading infection
- You should already be receiving treatment
You’ll be told what your risk level means and what happens next.
What Happens After Your Foot Check?
If Your Risk Is Low
- Foot check every two years
- Contact your diabetes care team immediately if you notice changes
If Your Risk Is Moderate
- Referral to a podiatrist
- Annual foot checks continue
- Additional monitoring if needed
If Your Risk Is High
- Your podiatrist leads your foot care
- A personalised foot care plan
- Reviewed at least once a year
- Possible referral to other specialists
In Remission
- You’ve had a foot ulcer or amputation in the past
- Ongoing podiatry care and monitoring
- Aim is to prevent further complications
Make sure you are given clear contact details for who to call if you notice a foot problem between checks.
Seeing a Foot Specialist (Podiatrist)
If you’re referred to a podiatrist in Cheltenham, Cirencester or the surrounding counties, they should:
- Create a foot care or treatment plan
- Explain how to look after your feet
- Arrange follow-up appointments
If you’re unsure about anything, it’s okay to ask questions. The more you understand your feet, the better you can protect them.
If you would like to see a podiatrist and get some expert advice, contact the Head Clinician at the Bourton Podiatry one of the most respected Podiatrists in the Cotswolds area. Telephone: 01451 824301 or Website: https://bourtonpodiatry.com/contact/
courtesy of diabetes.org.uk.