The Annual Diabetic Foot Exam
If you are a diabetic, your doctor probably told you to get your annual eye exam and annual diabetic foot exam. An annual diabetic foot exam is crucial to avoid serious problems, like amputation.
At Hollowbrook Foot Specialist we do a comprehensive diabetic foot exam. You might be wondering why you would need a diabetic foot exam when your feet feel fine. When you go to the Podiatrist, he/she will be checking all aspects of your feet to determine your risk level for serious foot problems.
What happens during an Annual Diabetic Foot Exam
The doctor will check if there are any skin color changes, and nail changes. The doctor will also check between your toes to determine if there are any cuts or infections. Infections of all kinds are a serious problem for a diabetic.
The doctor will then check your circulation. He will check the pulses in your feet and legs and may perform a PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease) test to make sure your circulation is working correctly. Good circulation is vital to staying healthy.
There will also be multiple sensation tests to determine your ability to feel things with your feet. Diabetics often lose sensation in their feet, called diabetic neuropathy. If you have neuropathy, you may not feel a sore or wound on your foot until it is too late.
If you already have diabetic neuropathy, he will check the to see if it is stable or getting worse. Since people with diabetic neuropathy have a loss of sensation, they wouldn’t know if they have a cut, blister, or sore. It’s very important for diabetics to check and protect their feet.
Why diabetic shoes are important
At our office, we have shoes, sneakers and slippers, that are specially made to protect diabetic feet. The inside of the shoe is specifically made so that there are no seams or bumps that would cause irritation to your feet. These shoes, slipper and sneakers have extra depth so they can accommodate feet that swell, and come in sizes from narrow to extra extra wide! They are covered by most of insurance companies once a year.
Great walking shoes
To make your annual diabetic exam, call our office at (845) 298-9074 for an appointment.
Hollowbrook Foot Specialist serving the Hudson Valley from Wappingers Falls.
By David Schlam
