Here’s a number worth sitting with: around 4,400 Australians have a diabetes-related amputation every year, and roughly 85% of those are preventable. That’s not a typo — it’s from Diabetes Australia, and it’s the reason we go on about regular foot checks so much.
Why feet, specifically?
Diabetes can quietly reduce feeling in your feet and slow down circulation, which means a small blister or cut can go unnoticed until it’s a much bigger problem. It’s not that people aren’t careful — it’s that the early warning signs (pain, noticing something’s wrong) don’t always show up the way they normally would.
What a check actually involves
Nothing scary — a typical diabetes-focused podiatry visit covers:
- Testing whether feeling in your feet has changed
- A quick circulation check
- A look at your skin and nails for anything that could turn into a problem
- Making sure your shoes actually fit and aren’t causing pressure points
- A few tips on what to check yourself at home between visits
National guidelines developed by Diabetes Feet Australia, backed by groups like the Australian Podiatry Association, recommend everyone with diabetes get this kind of check at least once a year — more often if you’re at higher risk.
The takeaway
A regular podiatry check isn’t about fixing a problem — it’s about catching one early, back when it’s still small and easy to sort out. Given how preventable most of these amputations are, it’s a pretty small thing to build into your routine for the payoff it gives.
This article is general information, not individual clinical advice. If it’s been a while since your last foot check, our podiatry team can help.
Want to read more?
Diabetes Australia’s facts and figures page has the full picture on diabetes and foot health in Australia.
