Diabetes & Foot Problems

Diabetes-related foot problems are complications that can develop when high blood sugar levels, over time, affect the nerves and blood vessels in your feet — reducing sensation, slowing circulation and making injuries harder to detect and heal. At Blueprint Podiatry in Tuggerah, our podiatry team provides comprehensive diabetic foot care to help you protect your feet and stay active.

What is diabetes, and how does it affect the feet?

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterised by persistently high blood sugar levels. There are three main types:

• Type 1 — the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, usually appearing in younger people, including children.
• Type 2 — the body becomes resistant to insulin, more common in middle to older adults and often linked to diet, weight and activity levels.
• Gestational diabetes — develops during pregnancy with no prior history and frequently resolves after birth.

Over time, diabetes can affect both the circulatory and nervous systems. Reduced sensation (neuropathy) means a blister, cut or pressure point may go unnoticed, while reduced circulation slows healing. Together, these factors can lead to ulcers, infections and other complications if left unchecked. Diabetic foot ulcers are a serious concern and have a significant rate of recurrence, which is why ongoing prevention and monitoring matter so much [1,2].

How does Blueprint Podiatry assess and treat diabetic feet?

Our podiatry team is made up of three registered podiatrists, each holding a Bachelor of Podiatry, training in Foot Mobilisation Therapy and certification as a Level 1 Running Coach. We bring this collective experience to a thorough diabetic foot assessment, which typically includes:

• Neurological testing — checking the protective sensation in your feet.
• Circulation assessment — evaluating blood flow to identify any vascular changes.
• Skin and nail review — looking for pressure areas, calluses, dryness or early signs of breakdown.
• Foot structure and gait analysis — identifying high-pressure zones that may increase ulcer risk.

From there, your care plan may include routine foot and nail care, callus and pressure management, footwear and offloading advice, and wound management where needed. For patients who would benefit from offloading high-pressure areas, we design custom orthotics using weightbearing 3D scanning and 3D printing in-house — meaning patient-matched left and right devices without the usual external-lab delay. The clinic also offers additional modalities such as shockwave therapy and dry needling where clinically appropriate.

How often you need a review depends on your individual risk. Lower-risk feet may be assessed annually, while feet with neuropathy, poor circulation or a history of ulcers often need more frequent monitoring.

When should I see a podiatrist?

Please seek care promptly if you notice a cut, blister, sore or wound that isn't healing, new numbness or tingling, colour or temperature changes, or any signs of infection such as redness, swelling, warmth or discharge. Early action helps prevent small problems from becoming serious ones.

Related services

• Diabetic Foot Care
• Wound Management