Feet checks

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thedame

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
What do you get in the way of checks on your feet? My DSN checks mine each year before I see the visitng specialist but the GP surgery no longer offers a free chiropody service. My DSN said that the GPs at our surgery will only refer diabetics to a NHS chiropodist if they have something wrong - my small corn didn't count apparently:( What happened to the "prevention is better than cure approach"?

I have had to book a session with a private practice - ?25 a go! They recommend visits every 2 months for a general check and tidy up- I am not made of money! As a supplement to a planned annual visit to the chiropodist to get a "medical" opinion of the state of my feet, I have found that Age Concern off a nail cutting and hard skin removal service at ?8 a session, apart from a initial charge for your own pair of clippers which you take home and bring back next time. You have to be over 50 or disabled for this service and they will arrange home visits if need be. So, good news of sorts but should I have to rely on a charity or hope that I devleop a serious condition and get a referral to a NHS service?
 
I get a free check with the podiatry service here in Southampton, once a year - in fact I've got an appointment this Thursday! I asked my GP about this the other week and she mentioned that corns were one reason to go and see them outside of the annual check, so I don't see why you should have to pay. Surely it's a very important service for diabetics? I wonder if there's anything in the NICE guidelines or something (although if there is there are probably enough loopholes and vaguaries for them to duck out of it :()
 
I saw the podiatrist once, and I had to organise that myself. Apparently in our area if you seem at least capable of looking after your own feet, you are expected to have your feet checked at the doctors when you have your medication review.
 
I get my feet checked when i have my annual review, if iw ant to have my feet seen to i have to see a podiatrist separate x
 
I have never had my feet checked should of had them checked by now?
 
Am I wrong in thinking that if someone can check their own feet and there are no obvious problems, there isn't much point going to see a podiatrist/chiropodist?

I don't think that it is the same as it is for eyes where regular checks are really important (because you can't check your own retinas!)

Andy
 
I was told to check my feet, what for and how were not included.
 
Andy HB said:
Am I wrong in thinking that if someone can check their own feet and there are no obvious problems, there isn't much point going to see a podiatrist/chiropodist?

I don't think that it is the same as it is for eyes where regular checks are really important (because you can't check your own retinas!)

Andy
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I would say foot checks are just as important as the eye ones, even if there aren't any visible problems. I have no visible issues with my feet, but I still have nueropathy - so it goes to show that even if nothing is visible, then there may be issues so you should get them checked regularly 🙂
 
Andy HB said:
Am I wrong in thinking that if someone can check their own feet and there are no obvious problems, there isn't much point going to see a podiatrist/chiropodist?

I don't think that it is the same as it is for eyes where regular checks are really important (because you can't check your own retinas!)

Andy
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As with everyone who has diabetes, a annual check-up by a qualified podiatrist is of the utmost importance. A visual check carried out by yourself is not sufficient, as a possible long-term complication of diabetes is poor circulation and lose of feeling in the feet, which undetected can lead to some serious complications. The podiatrist does numerous check from checking for a strong pulse in the feet (circulation) to checking for lose of sensation by using various soft instruments testing the extremities of the feet. When a problem is discovered, the podiatrist will discuss treatments and offer practical advice to prevent further damage occurring. I have had diabetes for 30 years, and thankfully have no problems to date, except for athletes foot recurring from time to time. Hope this answers your query! Toby.
 
Good points!

Whilst I have no concerns with my feet at the moment (beyond some already known loss of feeling), I will ask about it the next time I see the GP/DSN.

Thanks,

Andy
 
I'd agree with Toby. You should check your feet daily as a matter of course, but there are some tests that you can't perform on yourself that the podiatrist will do, such as checking for sensitivity (poking your feet with a nylon strand whilst your eyes are closed - impossible to do yourself!). They know best where to poke and where to find the pulses and may spot things an untrained eye wouldn't.
 
My surgery are doing checks every three months, including radial pulse, sensation tests and overall health as I'm prone to getting very hard skin on my heels which can be quite painful. So far all is well. Though I have had problems with transient neuropathy when my numbers were high, that seems to have eased off now.
 
scotty said:
I have never had my feet checked should of had them checked by now?
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Yeah for sure more then once id of said by now Scotty they need to be looked after just as much as your eyes id say, what does the dn do at your annual review?
 
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scotty said:
I have never had my feet checked should of had them checked by now?
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As it's about 6 months since your diagnosis I would have expected you to have had one by now Scotty - better raise it with your doctor and find out what the procedure is.
 
Andy HB said:
Am I wrong in thinking that if someone can check their own feet and there are no obvious problems, there isn't much point going to see a podiatrist/chiropodist?

I don't think that it is the same as it is for eyes where regular checks are really important (because you can't check your own retinas!)

Andy
Click to expand...

I would tend to agree, that if you are getting your tests done each year which you are then unless you are having problems or are considered high risk for problems then it's not entirely necesarry. Any problems you can get an appointment with them.
 
like scotty i havent had my feet checked either since diagnosed i am sugar plum fairies fed up asking my doc and d nurse whats happening and each time i get
"well you are on the waiting list"🙄

I am taking it its a postcode lottery what services you can get on the n h s as diabetes can be in your system for years before diagnose so you would think that you would get everything checked out when you find out you ve got
diabetes but no dont be so daft logic doesnt come into it.

i can feel a big rant coming on so i better ease off a bit ive got the nurse tomorrow to get my hba1c done again then my d nurse next week so i will as usual be a pain in the b.t and bring it up again not that i think it would be of use.
 
I had a referral to the podiatrist on diagnosis. The foot sensation & pulse tests were fine. However, I've been referred for further (free) treatment simply because I get a lot of hard skin and my heels tend to crack - not good for a diabetic!. My appointment has come through however, I have to wait until 1st July for it.
 
Most places will have some type of emergency clinic so that you can be seen if something comes up like an ulcer, and will often be self referal. So it's important to get advice quickly so that treatment can get started.
 
Thanks for the replies guys -as aniticipated the availability of free checks is varied. According to the NHS, it is really up to the GPs to decide who will get free treatment. I was given Byetta and get all the supplies I need for testing but I think they are clawing back the cost from the feet 😉

I find it hard to attend to my feet so have to get Hubby to do it and both of us are worried that he might miss something or cause damage through lack of training. Apart form the small corn, my feet are fine but I want to keep them that way!

I will go for my paid chiropodist visit next week but take this up with my GP or better still my visitng specialist when I next see him - if I am making the effort to prevent probs, then I reckon I should get support!
 
Well, I had an excellent and thorough check this morning at my podiatry appointment. I also mentioned that, whilst I got excellent care, others get woefully inadequate care unless they pay for it.

Had a very comprehensive discussion about my history and family history, what I did, any problems I had had etc. then got the pulses checked, nylon pricky-thingy and tuning fork - all good thankfully. Also a recommendation that I might get nail surgery on the slightly troublesome nail I have. Not too keen on that as it would stop me running for a while and I've coped with that nail for 25 years anyway. Probably took about 45 minutes in total for the appointment.🙂
 
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