Diabetic Footcare in Adelaide
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body is unable to use it properly. This is because insulin is lacking or the body’s way of making glucose into energy is not working properly.
There are two common forms of Diabetes:
Type 1
is also known as insulin dependent diabetes. This usually starts in children and young adults. People with this type of diabetes require daily insulin injections.
Type 2
is the most common and usually affects people over the age of 40 years.
How diabetes can affect your feet
Your feet are supplied with blood to keep them healthy. They also have lots of nerves as a warning system. For example, if you have a stone in your shoe, nerves will send a message to your brain.
However, if your diabetes is poorly controlled for a long period of time, this may lead to:
- Nerve damage which reduces feeling in the feet, and/or
- ‘Poor circulation’
Nerve damage may mean that you no longer notice the stone in your shoe, due to loss of feeling in your feet. This could then lead to an injury you can’t feel, and possibly infection.
If you have poor circulation, any injuries or infections to your feet (ie cuts, burns or scratches) will take longer to heal. This is due to less blood flowing into your feet. Blood provides energy to muscles and aids in healing any tissue damage.
If you have poor circulation, you will need to take extra care to protect your feet from injury.
Most foot problems in people who have diabetes occur when injuries – and often infections – go unnoticed and untreated, or when healing is delayed due to poor circulation.
How can I detect any changes early?
A six monthly check by your podiatrist will help to detect any changes early – before they become a problem.
Your podiatrist will examine your circulation by feeling foot pulses. They will also examine sensation by testing reflexes, vibration and pressure sensitivity, and other tests may be conducted as necessary.
In addition, they will also look for general foot conditions which may lead to future problems. Your podiatrist will work with you to show you how to monitor your own feet, in between consultations.
Address: 500 Magill Road, MAGILL SA 5072
Our Magill clinic is located inside the Move for Better Health Building working alongside iNform Health and Fitness, Move Physiotherapy, 360-Me Nutrition and NLC Psychology. This clinic can be found on the corner of Briant Road and Magill Road.
Accessibility: Ramp facilities, located on ground floor, disabled parking.
Parking: Onsite free car parking, ample street parking.
Restroom Facilities: Yes
Address: 277 Unley Road, MALVERN SA 5061
Our Malvern clinic is located inside the Move for Better Health Building working alongside iNform Health and Fitness, Move Physiotherapy, 360-Me Nutrition and NLC Psychology. This clinic can be found on the corner of Fisher Street and Unley Road.
Accessibility: Ramp facilities, located on ground floor, disabled parking.
Parking: Onsite free car parking, ample street parking.
Restroom Facilities: Yes
Opening Hours:
Address: Suite 5, 81-83 Smart Road, MODBURY SA 5092
This location is a Bupa Members First provider
Our Modbury clinic is located on Smart Road, opposite the back entrance to the Tea Tree Plaza car park. The entrance to our car park is at the smaller roundabout, heading east up Smart Road.
Accessibility: Ramp facilities, located on ground floor, disabled parking.
Parking: Onsite free car parking, ample street parking.
Restroom Facilities: Yes
Opening Hours:
Address: Level 1, 132-134 Fosters Road HILLCREST SA 5086
This location is a Bupa Members First provider.
Our Oakden clinic is located on Level One of the Oakden Medical Centre. The building is a two storey white building on the eastern side of Fosters Road, before reaching the Northgate Shopping Centre.
Accessibility: Lift and ramp facilities, disabled parking.
Parking: Onsite free car parking, ample street parking.
Restroom Facilities: Yes
Opening Hours:
