Feet

What to expect at a foot examination

Your legs and feet should be examined by a healthcare professional at least once a year.  At the examination you will be asked to remove your stockings/socks and shoes and, if you wear trousers, you will be asked to roll up your trouser legs so that your legs, as well as your feet, can be examined.

You will be asked questions about your feet, your diabetes and your health in general and a number of pain free tests will also be carried out.  These include:

  • Neuropathy testing – the examiner will press a series of instruments on your toes and the balls of your feet to check for numbness.  He/she will also test your reflexes and may check whether you feel the difference between hot and cold.
  • Circulation testing – the examiner will feel the pulses that you have in your feet and legs and equipment might be used to listen to the sound of the blood moving in the arteries of your legs and feet.  You may also have the blood pressure of your legs taken.
  • Foot inspection – your feet will be checked for any corns, calluses and nail problems.