Living with diabetes requires care, especially when it comes to your feet. Getting the right diabetic foot care advice from a specialist is key. Scheduling a diabetic foot screening at least once a year is crucial for monitoring foot health and preventing complications. Injuries can go unnoticed without regular check-ups and guidance, leading to poor healing, infection, or even worse outcomes. At The Foot Practice, we offer personalised support for patients who need comprehensive diabetic foot care in Singapore, from diagnosis and care to prevention and maintenance.
Why Foot Care is Important for Diabetics?
Diabetes affects the whole body, including the feet. Diabetics often have poor circulation and nerve damage, two leading causes of diabetic foot. This condition, peripheral neuropathy, reduces foot sensation and can lead to unnoticed injuries. A foot ulcer is an open sore that can develop due to nerve damage and poor circulation. If an ulcer is not treated promptly, it can lead to serious complications like foot infection, gangrene, or even amputation.
Diabetic Foot Care Advice
What Does Diabetic Foot Pain Feel Like?
It varies. You may experience burning, tingling, numbness, or sharp pain, which is often worse at night. Some patients feel nothing at all, even when serious damage has occurred. This is why regular inspections and assessments by a diabetes foot specialist are important. Complications like foot ulcers, infections, and gangrene can arise without timely care. Foot infection is a serious risk, and prompt intervention is necessary to prevent tissue death and save lives.
Even without symptoms, diabetic feet should be checked daily for blisters, wounds and signs of infection. Check your feet or toes for dryness, darkened skin or swelling. These may be signs of poor circulation, one of the early diabetic foot symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored. If you notice any changes in your feet or signs of infection, consult your podiatrist immediately. These risks underscore the importance of consulting a diabetic podiatrist who understands the intricacies of diabetes and foot care. If you have foot concerns, see your doctor for early intervention and proactive foot care.
Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is caused by prolonged high blood sugar that damages the nerves in your lower limbs. It is one of the common diabetic foot causes. Tingling, numbness, and persistent pain in the feet are early signs, but as the condition progresses, you may not feel injuries or pressure. That’s why podiatry diabetic foot care should be part of your overall diabetes management.
Peripheral neuropathy affects muscle control and function in the feet. This can lead to deformities, such as hammertoes, or contribute to instability and difficulty walking. In advanced stages, patients may develop Charcot foot – a condition where weakened bones fracture or dislocate due to nerve damage. Since patients with Charcot foot can’t feel pain in the area, they often continue to walk and worsen their injury unknowingly.
Diabetic Foot Care Tips to Prevent Complications
For diabetics, proactive foot care is key to preventing complications that can lead to ulcers, infections, or even amputation. At The Foot Practice, our diabetic foot specialist combines professional assessments with practical at-home routines to safeguard long-term foot health.
Regular podiatric assessments are your first line of defence. By evaluating circulation, nerve function and foot structure, an experienced podiatrist can catch early signs of diabetic complications before they progress. Footwear is a key factor. Ill-fitting shoes are one of the primary diabetic foot conditions, which can include corns, calluses, ulcers, and infections. As part of our care plan, we assess your footwear and recommend adjustments to reduce pressure and friction.
Daily home care is equally important:
- Inspect your feet daily for blisters, cuts or swelling.
- Wash with mild soap and lukewarm water, dry thoroughly (especially between the toes)
- Apply moisturiser to keep the skin soft, avoiding the spaces between your toes
- Trim nails straight across
- Don’t share nail tools
- Before wearing shoes, check the insides for debris or seams that could cause irritation
- Always wear socks and supportive shoes, even at home
This combined clinical care approach, along with consistent at-home maintenance, can help prevent serious diabetic foot complications. Diabetics are 15 times more likely to undergo limb amputation due to foot-related complications. Even minor injuries can worsen quickly due to reduced circulation or sensation. Early signs, such as redness, swelling, or persistent sores, should never be ignored. Without intervention, these can lead to ulcers, infections and in severe cases, gangrene and amputation.
The good news? These outcomes are preventable. With regular podiatric assessments, personalised footwear guidance and a structured daily routine, you can reduce your risk and stay pain-free. Working with a diabetic foot care specialist ensures that potential problems are addressed early, allowing you to stay active, independent, and confident in your foot health.
Choosing the Right Footwear
Choosing the right footwear is crucial for people with diabetes to protect their feet and prevent foot problems. Always choose shoes that fit well, neither too tight nor too loose, to avoid friction and pressure points that can cause blisters or lead to foot ulcers. Look for shoes made from breathable materials, such as leather or mesh, that keep your feet cool and dry, thereby reducing the risk of foot infections.
Supportive shoes with cushioned soles and a wide toe box can prevent foot complications by distributing pressure evenly across the foot. Wear moisture-wicking socks to protect your feet further and prevent blisters. Avoid walking barefoot, even indoors, as this can increase the risk of injury and ulcers.
By making thoughtful choices about your footwear through a diabetic footwear assessment, you can significantly reduce the risk of foot complications and maintain healthy feet.
The Role of a Diabetic Podiatrist in Your Long-Term Care
Diabetic foot care in podiatry extends beyond toenail trimming and routine checks. At The Foot Practice, we combine diagnostic insight with prevention strategies for long-term protection. Whether you’re already managing diabetic foot symptoms or trying to avoid complications, we tailor a solution that suits your lifestyle and needs.
Our diabetic foot care services include:
Diabetic Foot Screening
We assess the condition of your feet using neurological, vascular, and dermatological checks. This includes checking your ability to feel pressure or pain, the appearance of your skin and nails, and the health of your blood vessels.
RehaWalk® Gait Analysis
This state-of-the-art pressure sensor treadmill provides detailed information on walking, identifying abnormal gait patterns or imbalances that can increase the risk of ulcers or injuries.
Orthotic Therapy
Diabetes and foot deformities often go hand in hand. Custom orthoses help reduce high-pressure zones on the feet and effectively redistribute weight. These devices support diabetic feet in motion and reduce the risk of injury or wound recurrence.
Personalised Plans
Everyone’s journey with diabetes is different. That’s why our diabetic foot clinic provides individualised diabetic foot care tips and prevention plans based on your medical history and activity level.
Wound Management and Medical Pedicures
If you have corns, calluses, or wounds, our team offers safe, sterile removal and care procedures. These services are particularly important for patients with diminished sensation and a higher risk of infection.
Biannual Foot Screening
Regular foot screenings, performed every six months, are an essential part of diabetes management. During this exam, our podiatrist will assess your feet for signs of nerve damage, reduced circulation or skin conditions that can increase the risk of diabetic foot ulcers. The screening includes tests for sensation, blood flow, and overall skin health, as well as a review of any changes in foot shape or structure. If you have a history of foot problems or are considered to be at higher risk, more frequent assessments may be recommended. These regular screenings enable early detection and timely intervention, thereby preventing complications and promoting long-term foot health.
Why Choose The Foot Practice for Diabetic Foot Care Singapore?
If you notice any changes in your feet, such as pain, swelling, numbness or sores that don’t heal, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Diabetics are at higher risk of developing foot ulcers and other foot problems that can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, pus or a foul odour, require immediate attention from your doctor. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming major health concerns and help you avoid long-term damage. Don’t wait to get help. Acting quickly can protect your feet and reduce the risk of ulcers, infections and other complications.
If you have diabetes and foot problems are interfering with your daily life, or if you want to prevent future issues, The Foot Practice offers advanced, evidence-based care tailored to the needs of diabetic patients. As a leading diabetic foot clinic, we combine experienced podiatrists, innovative technology and a caring approach.
From ongoing assessments to advanced orthotic therapy, our team ensures you receive the highest standard of podiatry diabetic foot care in Singapore. We also offer diabetic foot care advice on managing your condition at home, including recommendations for footwear, daily foot care routines and when to seek help. Book an appointment with The Foot Practice today.
