How Often Should You Have a Diabetic Foot Examination?
Quick answer
- Everyone with diabetes should have a full foot examination at least once a year.
- If you have nerve damage, poor circulation, foot deformity or a past ulcer, you need checks more often, as advised by your doctor, sometimes every one to six months.
- You should also look at your own feet every day.
Why Feet Need Special Attention
High sugar over time can damage nerves, so you may not feel a cut or blister, and can narrow blood vessels, which slows healing. A small wound can become an ulcer or infection if it goes unnoticed.
What Happens in a Foot Examination
- Inspection: skin, nails, calluses, deformities and any wounds.
- Sensation tests: with a monofilament, tuning fork or other tools to check for nerve damage.
- Circulation check: feeling the pulses in the feet, and further tests if needed.
- Footwear review: checking that shoes fit well and do not cause pressure.
How Often?
- Low risk (normal sensation and circulation): at least once a year.
- Some loss of sensation or poor circulation: more often, as your doctor decides.
- Foot deformity, previous ulcer or amputation: frequent specialist review.
- Any new wound, colour change, swelling or pain needs prompt attention.
Daily Foot Care
- Look at both feet every day, including between the toes. Use a mirror if needed.
- Wash and dry them well, especially between the toes.
- Moisturise dry skin, but not between the toes.
- Never walk barefoot, even at home.
- Wear well-fitting shoes and clean socks.
- Do not cut corns or calluses yourself.
- Trim nails straight across.
- Check bath water temperature with your elbow.
When to See a Doctor Urgently
Seek help for a wound that is not healing, redness, swelling, warmth, pus, a black area, fever, or a sudden change in the colour or temperature of the foot.
Key Takeaways
- Get a foot examination at least once a year.
- Higher risk feet need more frequent checks.
- Daily self-inspection catches problems early.
- Treat any wound promptly.
Final Thoughts
Good foot care prevents serious complications. Dr. Tamoghna Das, an internal medicine and cardio-diabetology specialist at Medcare Diabetes & Obesity Clinic, can examine your feet, assess your risk and teach you how to look after them.
This article is part of our guide to diabetic foot problems, written for patients and families in Bongaigaon.
FAQs
Why do diabetic feet need checking if they feel fine?
Nerve damage can remove the feeling of pain, so problems go unnoticed.
What is a monofilament test?
A simple test using a thin nylon thread to check sensation.
Can I wear sandals?
Closed, well-fitting footwear is safer. Ask your doctor about suitable options.
Should I soak my feet?
Avoid long soaks, as they can damage the skin.
Are foot ulcers curable?
Many heal with early care, though delays raise the risk of complications.
How can I lower my risk?
Keep sugar in control, stop smoking and follow daily foot care.
Sources
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tamoghna Das, MBBS, MD (Medicine) · Assam Council of Medical Registration No. 20276 · Last reviewed 19 October 2026
Medical disclaimer. This article is for general information only. It is not a diagnosis and is not a substitute for a consultation with a doctor. For advice about your own health, please book an appointment. Read our medical disclaimer.
Seek urgent care now, call 108 or 112, or go to the nearest emergency department if you have chest pain, sudden breathlessness, fainting, weakness on one side of the body, very high blood sugar with vomiting or drowsiness, repeated low blood sugar with confusion, or a foot wound with redness, swelling or fever.
