National Diabetes Month: The Complete Foot Protection Guide

Quick answer: Diabetes Month Foot Protection Guide affects roughly 1 in 4 adults in our practice. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Township practices. Call (810) 206-1402.

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✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

National Diabetes Month: The Complete Foot Protection Guide

Diabetes and Your Feet: Why This Month Matters

November is National Diabetes Month. As a podiatrist, this is the most important awareness month on my calendar – because diabetic foot complications are the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations in the United States. With proper foot care and the right products, most of these outcomes are preventable.

Why Diabetes Affects Your Feet

Diabetes causes two primary foot problems: peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage that reduces sensation) and peripheral vascular disease (reduced blood flow that impairs healing). Together, these create a dangerous combination: you cannot feel injuries when they occur, and your body cannot heal them effectively when they do. A small blister can become a limb-threatening wound in days.

The Diabetic Foot Daily Inspection Protocol

Every person with diabetes should inspect their feet every single day. Use a mirror or have a family member check areas you cannot see. Look for: blisters, cuts, scrapes, redness, warm spots, swelling, or any changes in skin color. Any wound that has not started healing within 24-48 hours needs professional evaluation immediately.

Foot Products That Protect Diabetic Feet

Gold #1: PowerStep Pinnacle (check current price on Amazon) Proper arch support reduces abnormal pressure points in diabetic feet. High-pressure areas under the ball of foot and heel are common ulceration sites in neuropathic patients. PowerStep’s deep heel cup and arch support redistribute pressure more evenly. FSA and HSA eligible.

Silver #2: Curex WorkPro – [AFFILIATE LINK – Curex WorkPro] – Good for diabetic patients who stand all day at work. The three arch height options allow customization to the specific foot deformities common in long-term diabetes.

Also essential: diabetic socks (seamless toe seams, non-constricting top), a daily foot cream for neuropathic dry skin (urea-based), and diabetic shoes if prescribed by your physician (Medicare/insurance covered for qualifying patients).

When to See a Podiatrist as a Diabetic Patient

Every diabetic patient should have a podiatry evaluation at least annually. Diabetics with peripheral neuropathy or vascular disease should be seen every 3 months. Any wound, ulcer, or infection should be seen same-day or next-day – do not wait.

The Michigan Diabetes Connection

Michigan has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the Midwest. Our clinic partners with area endocrinologists including Dr. Grunberger’s team to provide coordinated diabetic foot care. Call us today for your annual diabetic foot exam.

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Diabetes Month Foot Protection: The November Action Items Every Diabetic Patient Should Complete

November’s American Diabetes Month highlights the preventive interventions that make the largest difference in diabetic outcomes — and diabetic foot care is among the highest-yield areas for preventive action. The statistics are stark: diabetes accounts for more than 60% of non-traumatic lower limb amputations in the United States; most amputations are preceded by a foot ulcer; most foot ulcers are preventable with appropriate surveillance, protective footwear, and patient education. The November action items for every Michigan diabetic patient are concrete and immediately actionable. First: schedule a thorough diabetic foot examination if one has not been completed in the past 12 months. Second: inspect your footwear — the inside of every shoe worn regularly should be felt for seams, foreign objects, and areas of abnormal wear that indicate pressure points on the foot. Third: inspect your feet daily, using a mirror for the plantar surface, looking for redness, callus buildup, blisters, and any wounds — however small.

The November timing of Diabetes Month coincides with shoe season — the transition to closed-toe winter footwear increases the time diabetic feet spend in potentially pressure-creating environments without visual inspection. Diabetic patients whose summer sandal habits allowed easy foot inspection must re-establish the daily barefoot inspection routine as winter boots become the norm. The Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Bill benefit for diabetic patients provides one pair of extra-depth shoes and three pairs of custom inserts per calendar year — and November and December are the final opportunity to use the current year’s benefit before it expires. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township, we screen all diabetic patients for therapeutic shoe benefit eligibility at every visit and process the Certificate of Medical Necessity in-office for qualifying patients. Schedule your diabetes month foot evaluation today — preventive care costs far less than the complications it prevents.

Michigan patients can access expert diabetic foot care in Michigan at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our board-certified podiatrists serve Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208). Schedule an appointment online or call (810) 206-1402 for same-week availability.

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Related Patient Guides

• Diabetic Foot Care Daily Routine
• Neuropathy Exercises for Feet
• Neuropathy in Feet: Relief Guide
• PAD & Foot Symptoms: Circulation Warning Signs
• 12 Signs You Need to See a Podiatrist

In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle

If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your diabetic foot conditions, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with same-week evaluations and advanced in-office care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is diabetic foot care so important?

Diabetes causes two problems that make foot wounds dangerous: peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage reducing sensation) and peripheral arterial disease (reduced blood flow impairing healing). A small blister or cut that a non-diabetic person would notice and treat can go undetected in a diabetic patient for days, become infected, and progress to osteomyelitis. Diabetic foot ulcers are the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. A consistent foot care routine and regular podiatry visits prevent most amputations.

How often should diabetic patients see a podiatrist?

Patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy should see a podiatrist every 2–3 months for routine nail care and foot inspection. Patients with active foot complications (ulcers, Charcot foot, severe PAD) need more frequent visits — often every 2–4 weeks until stable. Even well-controlled diabetics without neuropathy benefit from annual foot exams. Many amputations we see in consultation could have been prevented with earlier, consistent podiatric care.

What is diabetic peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage from chronically elevated blood sugar, causing numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of sensation — typically starting in the toes and progressing upward in a ‘stocking’ distribution. The dangerous aspect isn’t the pain — it’s the absence of pain. Patients with severe neuropathy don’t feel blisters, cuts, pressure sores, or early infections. A wound can reach bone before it’s noticed. Neuropathy screening with a 10-gram monofilament is part of every diabetic foot exam.

What are the warning signs of a diabetic foot problem?

Seek same-day evaluation for: any open wound or blister that isn’t healing within 1–2 weeks, redness, warmth, or swelling in any part of the foot (possible Charcot fracture or infection), a new blister or callus, any red streaking or warmth spreading up the leg (cellulitis), foot or ankle pain in a diabetic patient with neuropathy (could be Charcot without pain). Don’t wait to see if it improves — diabetic foot infections are medical emergencies.

What is the best foot cream for diabetic feet?

The goal of diabetic foot cream is restoring the skin’s moisture barrier to prevent fissuring and cracking — the entry points for infection. Look for urea-based creams (10–25% urea) or lactic acid formulations that actually penetrate thickened skin rather than sitting on the surface. AmLactin 12%, Eucerin Diabetics’ Dry Skin Relief, and Gold Bond Diabetics’ Dry Skin Relief are clinical-grade options. Avoid cream between the toes — moisture retention between toes promotes maceration and fungal infection.

Can diabetic patients get foot massages?

Light massage is generally safe for diabetic patients without active wounds, severe edema, or PAD. However, deep tissue massage or vigorous rubbing should be avoided — with neuropathy, patients can’t feel if tissue is being damaged. Foot massagers with rollers or intense vibration should be avoided entirely. If you enjoy foot massage, use gentle, light strokes with a diabetic-appropriate foot cream. Let your podiatrist know if you’re incorporating massage into your routine — we can advise based on your circulation status.

What type of socks should diabetic patients wear?

Diabetic socks: seamless (seams can create pressure sores over a neuropathic foot), non-binding at the top (circulation-restrictive socks worsen PAD), moisture-wicking (polyester/wool blend reduces bacterial environment), padded sole (cushions bony prominences). Avoid cotton socks for active patients — cotton retains moisture. Never wear socks with elastic bands that leave marks on the leg. Brands specifically designed for diabetic feet: Thorlos, Wigwam, and most major medical supply brands.

Should diabetic patients cut their own toenails?

It depends on neuropathy severity and vision. Patients with mild neuropathy and good vision can safely trim nails straight across without cutting the corners. Patients with moderate-to-severe neuropathy, poor vision, or thick nails should not self-trim — the risk of cutting the surrounding skin (which they may not feel) is too high. This is exactly what podiatry nail care visits are for. Medicare and most insurance plans cover routine foot care for diabetic patients with documented neuropathy.

What is Charcot foot and how serious is it?

Charcot neuroarthropathy is a serious diabetic complication where neuropathy allows repeated micro-fractures to occur without pain, leading to progressive bone and joint destruction and foot deformity. The classic presentation: a warm, swollen, red foot in a diabetic patient — often mistaken for cellulitis. Early Charcot (caught within weeks of onset) can be managed with a total contact cast to prevent further collapse. Late Charcot with significant arch destruction often requires reconstructive surgery. Missing the diagnosis is catastrophic — a single patient with missed Charcot can progress to a rocker-bottom deformity requiring amputation.

Does insurance cover diabetic foot care?

Medicare Part B covers routine foot care (nail trimming, callus debridement) for diabetic patients with documented peripheral neuropathy — one visit every 2 months. Most PPO and HMO plans follow similar coverage rules. Diabetic shoes and insoles are covered under Medicare’s Therapeutic Shoe Bill (one pair of shoes plus three pairs of custom insoles per year). Call us at (810) 206-1402 and we’ll verify your specific coverage before your first appointment.

Related Care at Balance Foot & Ankle

Clinical foot and ankle services at our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices.

Custom OrthoticsFoot BracingLaser Therapy

More questions patients ask

Why is foot care especially important for people with diabetes?

Diabetes causes peripheral neuropathy (loss of sensation), peripheral arterial disease (reduced circulation), and immune dysfunction — a triple threat that makes minor foot injuries dangerous. Without sensation, small wounds go unnoticed; without circulation, they don't heal; with immune dysfunction, infections spread rapidly. Up to 25% of diabetics develop foot ulcers in their lifetime.

How should diabetic patients care for their feet daily?

Daily diabetic foot care includes: inspecting both feet with a mirror for cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling; washing and thoroughly drying feet (especially between toes); applying moisturizer (avoid between toes); wearing diabetic socks and properly fitted shoes; never walking barefoot indoors or outdoors; and scheduling regular podiatry visits at Balance Foot & Ankle.

Does Medicare cover diabetic foot care at Balance Foot & Ankle?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers diabetic foot exams every 6 months for patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and loss of protective sensation. Medicare also covers therapeutic shoes and custom inserts under the Therapeutic Shoe Bill for qualified diabetic patients. Balance Foot & Ankle handles all Medicare billing and documentation.

What should a diabetic patient do if they find a foot sore or blister?

Do not attempt to treat a diabetic foot wound at home. Contact Balance Foot & Ankle immediately at (810) 206-1402 for same-day or next-day evaluation. Even small wounds can develop serious infections rapidly in diabetic patients. Early intervention is critical — waiting even 24–48 hours can dramatically change outcomes.

How often should diabetics check their feet?

Daily self-exams plus professional exams annually (or every 3-6 months for neuropathy/PAD patients). Dr. Biernacki provides comprehensive diabetic foot care programs.

Why do diabetics have foot problems?

Diabetes causes nerve damage, reduced blood flow, and impaired immunity. Injuries go unnoticed and heal slowly. ~15% of diabetics develop ulcers. Prevention through regular podiatric care is essential.

What are signs of diabetic neuropathy?

Tingling, burning, numbness starting in toes, sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness, balance problems. Schedule evaluation at 810-206-1402 for nerve testing and management.

Still have a question about coverage or cost? Book online and we will check your benefits before your visit: Book in Howell · Book in Bloomfield Township. Prefer to talk it through first? Call (810) 206-1402.