Chapter 11 – What do you tell your doctor on your regular visit?

A routine foot exam should be an integral part of your regular medical check-up. If your feet have been overlooked during a doctor’s visit, be sure to remind your physician at your next appointment. I strongly recommend that everyone with diabetes be under the care of a foot specialist—a podiatrist. Regular care from a specialist can greatly reduce the risk of diabetic foot complications.

Basic preventive foot care involves early detection of any changes in the diabetic feet, followed by prompt surgical or medical intervention to prevent costly consequences.

When you visit your podiatrist, be sure to notify them of any of the

following changes or symptoms:

• The recent development of a new sore on your feet.

• Any recent changes in the color of your feet.

• Any alterations in how your feet feel—such as pain, numbness, burning, tingling,

or a pins-and-needles sensation.

• Any changes in foot deformities, including the formation or worsening of hammer

toes, bunions, corns, or calluses, whether they cause pain or not.

• The onset or worsening of pain or cramps in the thigh, buttock, or leg.

• Any swelling, redness, or heat in the feet accompanied by fever and chills—if this occurs, seek immediate medical attention.

• The painless collapse of the arch of the foot, especially if it’s accompanied by

inflammation, heat, and redness over the entire foot; this may be an early sign of

Charcot's diabetic foot and requires immediate care, including complete bed rest.

• Sudden blue (cyanotic) discoloration of the toes, regardless of pain, as this could

indicate the beginning of spontaneous gangrene from an arterial embolism.

• Redness, blisters, or foul-smelling fluid under corns or calluses.

• Changes in the skin’s condition, such as increased dryness or new cracks

around the heel.

• Any recent signs of toe or leg hair loss.

• Leg pain at night that is relieved by walking around.

Notifying your podiatrist about these issues during your regular visits is crucial for early

detection and effective management of diabetic foot complications.