Diabetic Foot Complications at Foot Foundation
Diabetes can significantly affect the feet by damaging nerves, reducing circulation, and slowing the body’s ability to heal. These changes increase the risk of wounds, infections, and ulcers that may go unnoticed due to loss of sensation. Without proper care, complications can progress to serious infections or even amputation.
Regular podiatry care is one of the most effective ways to prevent these problems. At Foot Foundation, we provide specialist diabetic foot assessments, early intervention, and ongoing management to keep your feet healthy and safe.
What are Diabetic Foot Complications?
Diabetes can lead to significant changes in the feet due to its effects on nerves, circulation, and wound healing. Over time, elevated blood glucose levels may damage the peripheral nerves (peripheral neuropathy) and blood vessels (peripheral arterial disease), leaving the feet vulnerable to injury, ulceration, and infection.
Without early intervention, these complications can progress to serious infection, gangrene, or amputation. Regular podiatry care is a cornerstone of diabetic management, helping to prevent complications before they develop.
At Foot Foundation, we provide specialist diabetic foot assessments, preventive care, and treatment, with access to PHO-funded appointments where eligible.
Causes & Risk Factors
Peripheral neuropathy – nerve damage leading to numbness, burning, tingling, or loss of protective sensation
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) – reduced circulation impairing healing and increasing ulcer risk
Foot deformities – bunions, hammer toes, flat feet causing abnormal pressure points
Callus and skin breakdown – predisposing to ulceration
Poor footwear – rubbing or pressure leading to unnoticed wounds in neuropathic patients
High blood glucose levels – impairing wound healing and immune function
History of ulcers or amputation – strongest risk factor for recurrence
Smoking, kidney disease, hypertension – further increasing risk
Treatment at Foot Foundation
Preventive care – regular podiatry appointments for nail care, callus removal, and footwear review
Custom orthotics and insoles – offloading pressure points to prevent ulcers
Footwear prescription – diabetic-friendly shoes with depth, cushioning, and minimal seams
Wound care – dressing and offloading strategies for active ulcers
Shockwave therapy (ESWT) – for associated tendon or musculoskeletal pain in diabetic patients, safe when indicated
Education – self-care techniques, daily foot checks, and recognition of early warning signs
Multidisciplinary collaboration – communication with GPs, endocrinologists, diabetes nurses, and vascular specialists
PHO-funded care – through contracts with Pinnacle, East Health Trust, and ProCare, patients may be eligible for subsidised or funded appointments following GP referral
Symptoms
Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the feet
Loss of protective sensation – inability to feel pressure, heat, or injury
Poor wound healing or recurrent infections
Skin changes – dryness, cracks, or colour changes
Foot deformity or pressure-related callus build-up
Ulcers on weight-bearing areas (toes, ball of foot, heel)
Pain at rest or during walking, which may indicate poor circulation
Diagnosis
At Foot Foundation, our diabetic foot assessment includes:
Vascular testing – palpation of pulses, Doppler ultrasound if indicated
Neurological testing – 10g monofilament, tuning fork vibration testing, light touch, and temperature sensation
Footwear review – to identify risk of rubbing or pressure areas
Skin and nail evaluation – identifying callus, fungal infection, cracks, or wounds
Biomechanical assessment – to detect deformities increasing ulcer risk
Risk classification – determining whether the patient is low, moderate, or high
Diabetic Foot Complications – FAQs
Diabetes can damage nerves (neuropathy) and blood vessels (circulatory disease). This means patients may not feel injuries and have reduced ability to heal, creating a higher risk of ulcers and infection.
Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage caused by long-term high blood glucose levels. It can cause numbness, tingling, burning pain, or loss of protective sensation in the feet, making injuries go unnoticed.
PAD occurs when the arteries supplying the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked. This reduces blood flow, leading to pain, delayed healing, and higher risk of ulcers and infection.
At minimum, diabetic patients should have an annual foot screening. High-risk patients (with neuropathy, PAD, ulcers, or deformity) require more frequent checks, often every 3–6 months.
- Extra depth and width
- Soft, cushioned lining with no seams
- Firm midsole for stability
- Custom insoles or orthotics to reduce pressure points
Yes. Ulcers are common in diabetes, particularly in patients with neuropathy or poor circulation. Ulcers must be treated urgently to prevent infection and serious complications.
Yes. With good blood sugar control, regular podiatry visits, correct footwear, and self-care, most serious diabetic foot problems can be prevented.
Foot Foundation holds PHO contracts with Pinnacle, East Health Trust, and ProCare. Patients referred by their GP may be eligible for funded or subsidised appointments for diabetic foot assessments and care.
If you notice an ulcer, open wound, swelling, redness, pus, or sudden change in sensation, you should seek urgent podiatry or GP assessment. Early treatment can prevent amputation.
Why Choose Foot Foundation?
Foot Foundation provides specialist diabetic foot care, combining podiatry and physiotherapy expertise with access to funded care pathways. We focus on prevention, education, and advanced treatment, helping patients with diabetes protect their feet and maintain independence.
With clinics in Rosedale, Takapuna, Remuera, Botany, Hamilton, and Tauranga, expert diabetic foot care is available across New Zealand.
