Your foot check is part of your annual review, which means you should have it as part of your diabetes care and it's free on the NHS. This is because you're more likely to have serious foot problems and these can lead to amputations.
Dry your feet completely and apply lotion to the top and bottom—but not between your toes, which could lead to infection. Never go barefoot. Always wear shoes and socks or slippers, even inside, to avoid injury. Check that there aren't any pebbles or other objects inside your shoes and that the lining is smooth.
Yes, you can get a Medicare rebate for podiatry, using the EPC Program. You need a specific doctor's referral, and the right type of physical condition.
Your GP or hospital consultant may refer you to an NHS podiatrist, but many NHS podiatry services will also accept patients on a self-referral basis. If you're self-referring you should make sure you go to an HCPC-registered podiatrist.
Toe Nail Care
It is advisable to have a podiatrist regularly perform the toenail care for diabetics since a small cut from trimming their own nails could quickly escalate into a larger issue. You can help minimize further issues by having a podiatrist regularly perform your nail care.
People with diabetes are covered by Medicare Part B for foot care services including: nail care. removal of calluses and corns. specialized shoes and inserts.
Medicare will cover the treatment of corns, calluses, and toenails once every 61 days in persons having certain systemic conditions. Examples of such conditions include: Diabetes with peripheral arterial disease, peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy, and chronic phlebitis.
Fitter Feet Podiatrists can assess your walking (gait) and provide orthotic foot supports to help pain free legs feet and backs when walking. Even arthritic pains can be improved by wearing orthoses when walking. Our Podiatrists also remove callus, corns and treat painful nails to help you keep walking comfortably.
Some of the medical conditions podiatrists treat include heel pain (plantar fasciitis), foot complications from diabetes, ankle and foot arthritis, nerve problems, tendonitis, hammertoes, flat feet, nail disorders, bunions, warts, fungus, fractures, and sprains.
If you have any issues that involve the foot and or ankle—a sports injury, arthritis/joint pain, skin problems, etc. —a visit to the podiatrist is your best bet. A podiatrist is a specialist who manages and treats almost all symptoms that involve the ankle and/or the foot.
Routine foot care includes: Cutting or removing corns and calluses. Trimming, cutting, or clipping nails. Hygienic or other preventive maintenance, like cleaning and soaking your feet.
You do not need a referral to visit a podiatrist. A visit to your podiatrist can be claimed from your private health insurance. To find a podiatrist in your area, visit The Australian Podiatry Council (external site).
Does Medicare cover Podiatry? Yes, BUT only to those eligible and referred by a G.P. Medicare implemented a scheme in 2004 for those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, long term arthritis and vascular disease.
Myth: People with diabetes can't cut their own toenails
Not true: the general advice on toenail cutting applies to everyone. If you have diabetes you should keep your nails healthy by cutting them to the shape of the end of your toes.
All diabetic patients should have a podiatrist. On your initial exam, your podiatrist will tell you if you are at low or high risk for complications in your feet. Generally speaking, a diabetic patient that has good ciruculation and no neurologic deficit (numbness/burning/tingling) can be seen on an annual basis.
How does a podiatrist help people with diabetes? A podiatrist is an important part of your diabetes health care team. Podiatrists are specifically trained to assess the nerve damage in your feet, identify your specific foot health risks, and help you come up with a treatment and prevention plan.
Most blisters should resolve with basic wound care, without developing to ulceration, provided that the cause is identified and removed. However, if there is little sign of healing within 3–5 days, referral to a specialist diabetic foot clinic should be considered.
As a general guideline, if you have an injury, condition, or symptoms affecting your foot or ankle health, it's best to see a podiatrist. If you have an injury, condition, or symptoms affecting any other part of your musculoskeletal system, it's best to see an orthopedic physician.
Unlike podiatrists that only treat the foot and ankle, an orthopedic doctor also treats other body parts such as the knees, hips, and spine. If podiatrists are foot and ankle doctors, orthopedists are bone and joint specialists. Orthopedists can treat various musculoskeletal issues.
Being physically active has long been applauded as an ingredient for good health, but, according to surgeons at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, doing too much too soon can wreak havoc on the feet and can cause painful overuse injuries: tendonitis, ruptured tendons and stress fractures, to name a few.
Podiatrists at Posture Podiatry also have a particular interest in manual therapies – using hands on treatment to mobilise the 33 joints of each foot. We also use advanced massage and dry needling techniques (yes, podiatrists use acupuncture needles!) to help release muscle tension if the need arises.
Foot care (for diabetes) Medicare covers foot exams if you have diabetes‑related lower leg nerve damage that can increase the risk of limb loss. You can get a foot exam once a year, as long as you haven't seen a footcare professional for another reason between visits.
Costs of Nail Trimming
For a special treatment that includes exfoliation, nail and cuticle trimming, fungus prevention, and maybe even a foot massage, the average cost across the country is about $35.00 to $40.00.
Taking excellent care of your feet is crucial. Diabetes Forecast says you can get a pedicure at a nail salon as long as you don't have an infection cut ulcer or neuropathy — but urges you to use caution and good judgment. The most important thing they advise is to make sure the salon you choose is extremely clean.