At least once a year for everyone with diabetes, and more often if your risk is higher. People with reduced sensation, poor circulation, foot deformity or a history of ulceration are usually reviewed every three to six months. Your podiatrist sets your interval after testing, then reviews it each visit, because risk categories change in both directions over time.

Most established diabetic peripheral neuropathy cannot be fully reversed, but its progression can often be slowed. Keeping blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol stable, along with quitting smoking, helps protect remaining nerve function. Symptoms such as burning, tingling or night pain may be managed with medications prescribed by your GP. Once sensation is significantly reduced, the priority becomes protecting numb feet from injury, as wounds may go unnoticed and heal more slowly.

Yes, get it looked at the same day. A warm, swollen, red foot with little or no pain in someone with neuropathy can indicate a Charcot foot, where bones weaken and the joints collapse under normal walking loads. Early immobilisation makes a significant difference. It is easily mistaken for a sprain, infection or gout, so it should be assessed rather than watched.

Yes, though your risk is lower. Damage accumulates over years, so someone with a long history of diabetes can have nerve changes even after glucose levels improve. Good control slows progression but does not undo existing neuropathy or arterial narrowing. Annual foot checks are recommended for everyone with diabetes, regardless of how good the recent numbers look.

Often, yes. Your GP can prepare a Chronic Disease Management plan, which covers up to five allied health visits per calendar year with a Medicare rebate [CONFIRM: current visit allowance and rebate wording]. Veterans may be covered through DVA, and NDIS participants may fund podiatry through their plan. Private health extras cover podiatry depending on your level of cover.

Because a small nick you cannot feel can turn into a wound that will not heal. Blades, files and medicated corn pads all remove or burn living skin as well as hard skin. In a foot with reduced sensation and slower blood supply, that break in the skin is the usual starting point for an ulcer. Debridement takes minutes in the clinic and is done with sterile instruments.