Available here: DOPPLER, ABPI and PODIASCAN (plantar pressure mapping)
for early risk assessment, offloading planning, footwear checks and monitoring structural pressure changes over time.
DIABETIC FOOT CARE • PEELAMEDU • COIMBATORE
Diabetic Foot Assessment & Preventive Foot Care
A structured diabetic foot assessment can identify loss of protective sensation, circulation problems, callus, deformity and abnormal pressure loading before these problems progress. At Nalavind Medical Centre, assessment is tailored to the patient's clinical risk and may include neurological, vascular and plantar-pressure evaluation.
WHAT WE ASSESS
A complete foot-risk assessment looks beyond the skin alone
Diabetic foot risk is influenced by sensation, blood flow, deformity, previous ulceration, callus and pressure loading. The purpose of screening is to identify these factors early and decide how closely the feet should be monitored.
Protective sensation
10 g monofilament testing is used to assess loss of protective sensation. Vibration testing may add further neurological information.
Circulation
Foot pulses, Doppler waveforms and pressure indices help assess peripheral arterial circulation and identify patients who may need further vascular evaluation.
Skin, callus & deformity
Both feet are examined for callus, pre-ulcerative changes, skin breakdown, infection, deformity and signs of Charcot change.
Plantar pressure
PODIASCAN pressure mapping helps identify areas of increased loading under the foot and supports footwear and offloading planning.
Footwear & offloading
Current footwear can be reviewed in relation to deformity, callus and pressure patterns, with preventive offloading advice when appropriate.
Risk category
Findings are combined into a practical risk assessment so follow-up frequency and preventive care can be matched to the patient's needs.
HOW THE TESTS COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER
Different tests answer different questions
| Assessment | What it helps assess | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Monofilament / vibration | Protective sensation and peripheral neuropathy | Loss of protective sensation increases ulcer risk because injury or pressure may go unnoticed. |
| Doppler / ABPI / TBI | Arterial circulation to the lower limb and foot | Reduced blood flow can impair tissue healing and changes the urgency and type of foot care required. |
| PODIASCAN | Distribution of pressure beneath the foot | Highlights high-load areas that can be considered when planning footwear, insoles or offloading. |
| Clinical foot examination | Callus, deformity, wounds, infection, swelling and skin changes | Connects test results with the patient's actual foot structure and current clinical risk. |
Important: In people with diabetes, a normal or high ABPI does not always exclude peripheral arterial disease because arterial calcification can make ankle pressures difficult to interpret. Doppler waveforms and toe-based measurements may therefore provide useful additional information when clinically indicated.
Who should consider diabetic foot assessment?
- Adults with diabetes as part of regular preventive foot review.
- People with numbness, tingling, burning or reduced sensation in the feet.
- Patients with callus, corns, deformity or changing footwear tolerance.
- People with suspected poor circulation or a history of vascular disease.
- Anyone with a previous diabetic foot ulcer, amputation or Charcot foot.
- Patients needing footwear, insole or offloading review.
How often should feet be checked?
Adults with diabetes should have a comprehensive foot evaluation at least annually. People with neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, previous ulceration, deformity or other significant risk factors generally need more frequent review. The appropriate interval depends on the individual's risk category and current foot status.
Do not wait for a routine appointment if there is an active foot problem
Prompt medical assessment is important for new or worsening diabetic foot problems, especially:
- a new ulcer or wound with redness, discharge, swelling or fever,
- black or gangrenous tissue,
- a suddenly hot, red or swollen foot, particularly if Charcot change is possible,
- rapidly worsening pain, colour change or signs of poor circulation.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Diabetic foot assessment: frequently asked questions
Do I need an assessment if I have never had a foot ulcer?
Yes. Preventive assessment is intended to identify risk factors before an ulcer develops, not only after a wound appears.
Are Doppler, ABPI and plantar-pressure tests painful?
These are non-invasive assessments and are generally well tolerated. The exact tests used depend on the clinical findings.
Does a normal ABPI guarantee that circulation is normal?
No. In diabetes, calcified arteries can produce misleadingly high ankle pressure readings, so ABPI should be interpreted together with the clinical examination and other vascular information.
What should I bring to the appointment?
Bring the footwear and insoles you use most often, details of previous ulcers or foot surgery if relevant, and your current medication list.
Book a Diabetic Foot Assessment
Nalavind Medical Centre, Peelamedu near Hope College, Coimbatore.
Appointments / WhatsApp: +91 93610 96250
Landline: +91 422 258 0000
Monday–Saturday: 9:30 AM–9:30 PM
RELATED DIABETES CARE
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NALAVIND MEDICAL CENTRE
Diabetes & Endocrinology
For diabetes, thyroid, obesity, PCOS, osteoporosis and broader endocrine care, view the dedicated Diabetes & Endocrinology page.
RELATED ORTHOPAEDIC CARE
Orthopaedics, Fracture Care & Diabetic Foot Care
For broader bone, joint, fracture, sports injury, spine and orthopaedic care, view the dedicated orthopaedics service page.
NALAVIND MEDICAL CENTRE
62 E & F, Lalitha Towers
Avinashi Road, Gandhi Street,
Hope College, Peelamedu,
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641004
This page provides general patient information and does not replace an individual clinical assessment.