Diabetes Neuropathy & High-Risk Foot Care

The Problem

Diabetes can affect many parts of the body, including the feet.

Over time, diabetes may affect:

• Nerve function (neuropathy)
• Circulation
• Skin health
• Healing capacity
• Foot structure and function

These changes can increase the risk of:

• Loss of sensation
• Foot ulceration
• Infection
• Falls
• Delayed healing
• Foot deformity
• Reduced mobility

One of the greatest challenges is that many diabetes-related foot problems develop gradually and without pain.

As a result, people may be unaware of developing problems until significant tissue damage has already occurred.

Regular assessment and early identification of risk factors play an important role in preventing complications and maintaining long-term foot health.

How We Treat It

Our focus is on prevention, education, and early intervention.

Assessment may include:

• Neurological testing
• Circulation assessment (including pulse assessment and Doppler assessment where indicated)
• Footwear assessment
• Skin and nail assessment
• Pressure and risk assessment
• Foot deformity assessment

Depending on your level of risk, management may include:

• Annual diabetic foot screening
• High-risk foot monitoring
• Professional skin and nail care
• Footwear recommendations
• Orthotic prescription
• Pressure offloading strategies
• Education regarding foot self-care
• Referral for vascular assessment where appropriate
• Coordination with other healthcare providers

Our goal is to identify risk factors early and help prevent complications before they occur.

Why Masterton Foot Clinic

Living with diabetes does not mean you need to lose mobility or independence.

At Masterton Foot Clinic, we take a proactive approach to helping people maintain healthy feet and remain active for as long as possible.

We regularly work with people living with diabetes, ranging from those requiring routine annual screening through to individuals with more complex foot health needs.

Our assessments focus not only on identifying risk but also on helping patients understand how diabetes may affect their feet and what practical steps they can take to reduce complications.

Where appropriate, we work alongside GPs, diabetes nurses, vascular specialists, endocrinologists, physiotherapists, and other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated care.

Most importantly, our focus is on helping people maximise their healthspan by maintaining mobility, independence, confidence, and participation in the activities they enjoy.

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