Diabetic Foot
Check & Care.

It depends on your risk level. If you have peripheral neuropathy, poor circulation, a history of foot ulcers, or active foot changes, we recommend every 3–6 months. For lower-risk diabetic patients with no current complications, annual checks may be sufficient. Your podiatrist will advise the right schedule for you at your first appointment.

Ideally, no — and we strongly advise against it. When circulation or sensation is reduced, even a small nick from nail cutting can lead to an undetected wound, infection, or ulcer. The same applies to a partner cutting your nails. Professional nail care within your diabetic foot check is much safer and gives us the opportunity to check your feet at the same time.

A Doppler assessment is a non-invasive, painless test that uses sound waves to assess blood flow through the arteries in your feet and ankles. We apply a small handheld probe to specific points and listen to the flow sound. It allows us to detect early peripheral arterial disease (PAD) far more accurately than checking pulses alone.

Absolutely — in fact, this is exactly the right appointment for you. We have experience in diabetic wound and ulcer care including assessment, cleaning, debridement, dressings, and ongoing monitoring until healing. If the wound requires onward referral to an NHS specialist team, we will arrange this quickly.

Yes — general foot care (nail trimming, hard skin removal, callus management, corn treatment) is fully integrated into our diabetic foot check appointment. You do not need a separate appointment for routine foot care. This is one of the key benefits of our service.

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage caused by sustained high blood sugar levels. In the feet, it reduces or eliminates the ability to feel pain, pressure, heat, or injury. This is dangerous because a cut, blister, or pressure sore can worsen significantly without you knowing. Regular professional checks are essential to catch problems you cannot feel yourself.

The 10g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test is the gold-standard clinical test for detecting loss of protective sensation in diabetic feet. A thin nylon filament is lightly pressed against various points on the sole of the foot. If you cannot feel the filament, it indicates significant neuropathy and places you in a higher risk category for ulceration.

NHS GP practices are required to offer an annual diabetic foot screening as part of the national diabetes programme. However, this is often a brief check rather than a comprehensive podiatry appointment. For patients who want thorough assessment — including Doppler testing, skin and nail care, wound management, and an ongoing monitoring plan — private podiatry provides far more comprehensive care.

If we identify anything requiring further attention — such as infection, suspected PAD, unhealed wounds, or changes that need specialist review — we act quickly. We have established referral pathways to NHS diabetic foot teams, vascular services, and GPs. You will not be left without a clear next step.

No — we strongly advise against corn plasters (salicylic acid pads) for diabetic patients. These products dissolve healthy skin as well as the corn, and can cause chemical burns, skin breakdown, and serious ulceration in feet with reduced circulation or sensation. Please book a professional appointment instead.

Yes — we operate a continuity model specifically for diabetic patients. Seeing the same podiatrist at every appointment means they know your history, can identify subtle changes in your feet over time, and provide truly personalised, consistent care. This is particularly valuable for patients with complex or ongoing foot conditions.

Yes. We provide mobile podiatry home visits across Nottinghamshire for diabetic patients who are unable to travel to the clinic — including elderly patients, those with mobility limitations, and care home residents. Visit our Home Visits page or call us to arrange.

Our clinic is based in Arnold, Nottingham. We see diabetic patients from across Nottinghamshire including Gedling, Carlton, Mapperley, Woodthorpe, Ravenshead, Hucknall, Daybrook, Bestwood, Calverton, Lambley, Burton Joyce, Lowdham, West Bridgford, Beeston, Bingham, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Mansfield, Newark, Retford, Worksop, Kirkby-in-Ashfield and surrounding areas.

Charcot neuroarthropathy (Charcot foot) is a serious complication of long-standing neuropathy in which the bones of the foot fracture and collapse due to undetected stress. It requires prompt specialist management. Regular podiatry monitoring helps detect the early warning signs — warmth, swelling, redness — before structural damage occurs.