How Diabetes Affects the Feet: Prevention, Risks and Podiatry Care in Dubai
Living with Diabetes requires careful management to protect many parts of the body, including the feet. Foot complications are among the most serious and common problems associated with diabetes, yet many people are unaware that damage may already be occurring.
At HealthBay, expert podiatry care helps patients identify early warning signs and prevent complications through comprehensive diabetic foot assessments.
Why Diabetes Can Affect the Feet
High blood sugar levels over time can damage nerves and blood vessels, particularly in the lower limbs. Two major complications can develop:
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy occurs when nerves in the feet become damaged, reducing or completely removing the ability to feel pain, heat, or injury. Many people with diabetes gradually lose sensation in their feet without realising it. Because pain is a natural warning signal, this loss of feeling means injuries can go unnoticed.
For example, people with neuropathy may continue walking on:
- Blisters
- Cuts or wounds
- Pressure from tight shoes
- Foreign objects in footwear
In podiatry clinics, it is not uncommon to find patients who were unaware they had stepped on sharp objects or developed wounds due to this loss of sensation.
Poor Circulation
Another common complication is peripheral artery disease, where narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the feet.
Reduced circulation means:
- Slow wound healing
- Increased infection risk
- Greater chance of tissue damage
When neuropathy and poor circulation occur together, the risk of serious foot complications increases significantly.
Risk of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Changes in muscle function, skin condition, and foot shape can create areas of high pressure, especially under the ball of the foot or around joints. If neurological changes have occurred, such as loss of sensation, a person may continue walking on the pressure points until the skin breaks down, which may become infected.
Research suggests that up to 25% of people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer during their lifetime. If untreated, ulcers can become infected and may lead to hospitalisation.
In severe cases, infection and tissue damage may lead to amputation. Globally, diabetes-related complications result in a limb amputation approximately every 30 seconds.
However, the encouraging news is that most diabetic foot complications are preventable with early detection and proper care.
Preventing Diabetic Foot Problems
The most important step in preventing complications is good blood sugar control. Maintaining stable glucose levels through diet, exercise, and medication helps reduce long-term nerve and blood vessel damage.
However, because many complications develop silently over time, regular foot assessments are essential.
Annual Diabetic Foot Screening
People living with diabetes should have a foot examination at least once a year, even if they do not notice any symptoms.
A professional diabetic foot assessment may include:
- Medical history review
- Circulation assessment
- Nerve sensation testing
- Foot structure evaluation
- Skin and nail check
- Footwear assessment
These assessments help to determine a patient’s risk level for developing diabetic foot ulcers or other complications.
Diabetic Foot Care at HealthBay
At HealthBay, our Podiatry team provides a comprehensive Diabetic Foot Prevention Programme designed to detect problems early and reduce the risk of serious complications.
Vascular Assessment
We use specialist Doppler equipment to evaluate blood flow to the feet and identify early signs of circulation problems.
Neurological Testing
Standardised neurological tests measure sensation in the feet and help detect early nerve damage.
Biomechanical Assessment
Evaluating foot structure, muscle function, and walking patterns allows us to identify pressure points that may lead to foot ulcers.
Footwear Guidance
Proper footwear plays a critical role in protecting the diabetic foot. Our Podiatrists assess current footwear and recommend supportive shoes that reduce pressure and prevent injury.
Custom Insoles for Protection
Custom Insoles for Diabetic Foot Protection One of the most effective preventative treatments for high-risk patients are custom insoles (orthotics).
Podiatrists can identify areas of excessive pressure under the foot. Custom insoles are then designed to redistribute pressure and protect vulnerable areas.
Managing Diabetic Foot Ulcers
If a foot ulcer develops, early specialist treatment is essential.
Our Podiatry team provides comprehensive ulcer care, which may include:
- Wound cleaning and debridement
- Infection screening
- Imaging such as X-rays or MRI if needed
- Coordination with medical specialists
- Pressure offloading techniques to promote healing
Specialist diabetic foot services have been shown to reduce amputation risk by up to 75% when ulcers are treated early and effectively.
When to See a Podiatrist
People with diabetes should seek podiatry care if they notice:
- Numbness or tingling in their feet
- Changes in skin colour or temperature
- Foot deformities or pressure points
- Cuts, blisters, or wounds that do not heal
- Thick or damaged toenails
- Redness, swelling, or signs of infection
Even without symptoms, routine diabetic foot screening is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of complications.
Protecting Your Feet with Diabetes
Diabetes can have serious effects on the feet, but with regular screening, appropriate footwear to suit your foot type, routine foot examinations (based on your risk profile), most complications can be prevented.
At HealthBay, our experienced Podiatrist’s provide comprehensive diabetic foot assessments and personalised treatment plans to help patients maintain healthy, active lives.
Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. If you have diabetes, regular foot care is essential to prevent serious complications.
Schedule your consultation with HealthBay’s podiatry specialists today.
FAQs
Diabetes can damage nerves (neuropathy) and reduce blood flow (poor circulation), especially in the feet. This can lead to loss of sensation, slow healing, infections, and an increased risk of foot ulcers.
Early signs include numbness, tingling, burning sensation, dry or cracked skin, changes in skin color, swelling, and wounds that heal slowly. Regular screening helps detect these issues early.
You can prevent complications by maintaining good blood sugar control, inspecting your feet daily, wearing proper footwear, keeping your feet clean and moisturized, and scheduling regular podiatry check-ups.
You should see a podiatrist if you notice pain, numbness, cuts, blisters, swelling, or any wound that does not heal. Even without symptoms, annual foot screening is highly recommended.
Yes, diabetic foot ulcers can be treated successfully if detected early. Treatment includes wound care, infection control, pressure offloading, and specialist monitoring, which significantly reduces the risk of complications or amputation.
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