4 Encouraging Facts About Foot Health and Diabetes

While diabetes does increase your risk for foot problems, it doesn’t have to mean poor foot health. Proper care and regular check-ups can help you maintain healthy feet throughout life.

At Cascade Foot & Ankle Center in Provo and Nephi, Utah, board-certified podiatrist Jared Clegg, DPM, FACFAS, and our team help patients with diabetes keep their feet healthy.

Here are four facts that might change your thoughts about diabetes and foot care.

Modern diabetic shoes actually look stylish

Selecting the appropriate shoes matters when you have diabetes, but gone are the days when diabetic footwear meant clunky, medical-looking shoes. Today’s diabetic shoes come in various styles that look like regular footwear while providing the discreet protection you need.

These shoes offer essential features like seamless interiors to prevent rubbing, extra depth to accommodate custom inserts, and pressure-reducing soles. Dr. Clegg can help fit you for diabetic shoes that match your style and feel comfortable, so it’s easier to commit to wearing them daily.

Simple habit changes prevent most serious complications

Most diabetes-related foot problems start small but escalate when left unnoticed. A simple daily foot check takes just one minute but can prevent months of treatment.

Look for:

Cuts, blisters, scratches, and wounds that aren’t healing
Redness or warm spots
Ingrown toenails
Changes in color, especially darkening
Calluses or corns forming

Using a mirror to check the bottoms of your feet or asking a family member can help catch problems early when they’re easier to treat.

Any movement improves circulation

Poor circulation often accompanies diabetes, but it isn’t a given. Simple exercises can help boost blood flow to your feet and lower legs.

Ankle rotations, toe flexing, and walking are all easy ways to strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation over time. Quitting smoking also dramatically improves circulation to extremities.

Nerve damage doesn't happen overnight

Diabetic neuropathy — nerve damage that reduces sensation — develops gradually and usually affects the feet first. This means you have time to intervene with proper blood sugar management before permanent damage occurs.

Studies show that maintaining target blood sugar levels can slow or sometimes prevent nerve damage progression. Even if you’ve had diabetes for years, getting your blood sugar under control now can help preserve the nerve function you still have.

Dr. Clegg works with patients to develop treatment plans that address existing nerve symptoms while helping to protect remaining sensation.

Book a diabetic foot check in Provo or Nephi, Utah

Don’t wait for a problem to develop. Regular foot checks can save you months of painful treatments later. Call our team at Cascade Foot & Ankle Center or schedule an appointment online today.