![Diabetic Foot Care 101 [Diabetic Foot Pain: Podiatrist Treatment] | Balance Foot & Ankle](https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/uploads/2021/05/diabetic-foot-care-101-diabetic-foot-pain-podiatrist-treatment.avif "The Complete Diabetic Foot Care Routine — Daily, Weekly & Monthly Checklist 13")
✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026
⚡ Quick Answer
A complete diabetic foot care routine includes a daily 90-second foot inspection, moisturizing (avoiding between toes), proper nail trimming, wearing diabetic-approved footwear, and a professional podiatry check every 3–6 months. Patients with peripheral neuropathy or prior foot wounds should see their podiatrist more frequently.
Last Updated: March 2026 | Reading Time: 6 min
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Schedule an appointment for personalized care.
Watch: Diabetic Foot Care 101 — Prevention & Treatment
Watch Dr. Tom explain the essential daily diabetic foot care routine and warning signs to watch for:
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The Complete Diabetic Foot Care Routine — Daily, Weekly & Monthly Checklist
Your Step-by-Step Diabetic Foot Care Routine
Daily foot care is the most powerful thing a diabetic patient can do to prevent the catastrophic complications that lead to amputation. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, we give every diabetic patient this exact routine. Call (810) 206-1402. Our Bloomfield Hills office shares a building with the Grunberger Diabetes Institute for coordinated diabetic care.
Daily Routine (5 Minutes)
Morning: Before putting on shoes, inspect both feet top and bottom. Use a mirror or magnifying glass for the sole. Look for: redness, swelling, skin breakdown, blisters, cuts, bruises, or color changes. Anything unusual calls us. Apply urea-based foot cream to heels and dry areas (NOT between toes). Put on clean diabetic socks before shoes. Evening: Wash feet with mild soap in lukewarm water (test temperature with elbow — not hands). Dry thoroughly especially between toes. Re-inspect. Moisturize if dry. Check inside shoes for foreign objects before putting them on (neuropathic patients have stepped on objects inside shoes without knowing).
Weekly Routine
Check nails for thickening, discoloration, or ingrown edges. Trim nails straight across, never rounded at corners, never cut too short. File sharp edges. If you can’t safely see or reach your feet — schedule a professional nail care visit with us.
Monthly
Check shoe fit — feet change size seasonally and with swelling patterns. Review footwear for signs of wear. Rotate shoe pairs to allow drying between uses.
Annual — Don’t Skip This
Annual diabetic foot exam at Balance Foot & Ankle — Medicare covered. Annual Medicare Therapeutic Shoe fitting. Neuropathy screening. Call (810) 206-1402.
Professional Podiatric Care in Michigan: Balance Foot & Ankle’s Comprehensive Services
At Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan patients receive comprehensive podiatric care across the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions. Our fellowship-trained podiatrists provide conservative and surgical treatment for all foot and ankle pathology — from plantar fasciitis, bunions, and nail disorders to complex reconstructive surgery, diabetic foot care, and sports injuries. Our clinical approach prioritizes accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment selection, and honest communication with patients about realistic outcomes.
We serve patients in Livingston and Oakland counties from two convenient Michigan locations: our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River (serving Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, Howell, and all of Livingston County) and our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 (serving Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, and all of Oakland County). Both offices offer in-office X-ray, same-week new patient appointments, and a full range of diagnostic and treatment services. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most Michigan insurance plans. Call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule your appointment.
Michigan patients from throughout the region — Livingston County communities including Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, and Fowlerville, and Oakland County communities including Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Pontiac, and Rochester — can access expert podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our clinical team is committed to providing the highest standard of foot and ankle care available in Southeast Michigan, from routine preventive care to complex surgical intervention. Call (810) 206-1402 to schedule — we look forward to serving you at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills location.
Scheduling with Balance Foot & Ankle is straightforward — call (810) 206-1402 during business hours and our front desk team will find an appointment time that works for your schedule, verify your insurance coverage before the visit, and answer any preliminary questions you have about what to expect. Our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River has convenient parking and is easily accessible from I-96, M-59, and Grand River Avenue. Our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 is located on Woodward Avenue with parking adjacent to the building. Both locations are accessible by patients throughout Southeast Michigan, and our team looks forward to providing you with the professional, evidence-based podiatric care that you and your feet deserve.
Related Treatment Guides
- Diabetic Foot Care
- Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
- Custom 3D Orthotics
- Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment
Michigan patients are welcome to call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to learn more about the specific services available at our practice, confirm insurance coverage, or schedule a new patient appointment. Our Howell office serves Livingston County patients with convenient access from the Howell, Brighton, Hartland, and Pinckney communities. Our Bloomfield Hills office serves Oakland County patients with convenient access from the Birmingham, Troy, West Bloomfield, and Farmington Hills communities. Both offices welcome new patients and provide the same high standard of podiatric care that Livingston and Oakland county residents have come to expect from Balance Foot & Ankle.
Medical References & Sources
⚠️ Most Common Mistake in Diabetic Foot Care Routines
The most common mistake we see is patients inspecting their feet inconsistently — checking them once a week instead of daily. Diabetic neuropathy means you may not feel a small blister, cut, or pressure sore developing. By the time you notice it seven days later, a minor wound can become infected. I have seen patients lose toes over injuries they never felt. The daily foot check takes 90 seconds. It is the single most important habit in diabetic foot care and the one most patients skip.
- American Diabetes Association — Foot Complications
- PubMed Research — Diabetic Foot Care
- American Podiatric Medical Association — Diabetic Foot
Dr. Tom’s Recommended Products for Diabetic Foot Care
📍 Located in Michigan?
Our board-certified podiatrists treat this condition at two convenient locations. Same-day appointments often available.
These are products I personally use and recommend to my patients at Balance Foot & Ankle.
- Dr. Comfort Men’s Paradise Diabetic Shoe — Medicare-covered diabetic shoe with seamless interior — eliminates pressure points that cause diabetic ulcers
- Foundation Wellness DASS Diabetic Socks — 30% commission (Levanta) — non-binding, seamless toe, moisture-wicking diabetic socks protecting neuropathic feet
- Derma Sciences Bordered Gauze Dressings — Non-adherent wound dressing ideal for diabetic foot wound management between podiatry visits
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In-Office Diabetic Foot Care at Balance Foot & Ankle
Your daily routine is the foundation — but diabetic feet need professional evaluation at least annually (every 3-6 months for high-risk patients). At our Howell and Bloomfield Hills offices, Dr. Tom Biernacki performs comprehensive diabetic foot exams including 10g monofilament neuropathy screening, pedal pulse assessment, skin and nail evaluation, and biomechanical analysis. We coordinate with your endocrinologist or PCP to ensure your A1C goals align with your foot health.
Learn about our diabetic foot care program →
Due for your annual diabetic foot exam? (810) 206-1402 | Book your appointment →
Dr. Tom’s Recommended Daily Diabetic Foot Care Products
PowerStep Pinnacle Insoles — The OTC orthotic I recommend most in our clinic. Medical-grade arch support redistributes pressure away from high-risk areas. Replace every 6 months for diabetic patients. Not ideal for: replacing Medicare-covered custom orthotics for Charcot foot or severe deformity.
Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel — Natural topical pain relief I use in our clinic. Arnica + camphor formula for diabetic foot pain and aching. Not ideal for: application on open wounds, ulcers, or between toes with maceration.
DASS Medical Compression Socks (15-20mmHg) — Graduated compression supports circulation. Seamless toe prevents friction injuries on neuropathic feet. Not ideal for: patients with ABI <0.9 or severe PAD.
Urea Cream 40% — Apply to heels and dry areas nightly (NOT between toes). Prevents cracking that leads to infection. The single most important topical for diabetic feet.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission on purchases. This does not affect our clinical recommendations.
Browse all diabetic foot products → Shop Now | Foundation Wellness Products
Related Diabetic Foot Guides
- Diabetic Shoes & Medicare Coverage 2026
- EMS Foot Massager for Diabetic Neuropathy
- Best Supplements for Neuropathy
- Best Shoes for Neuropathy
- Diabetic Foot Care Hub
Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetic Foot Care
How often should diabetics check their feet?
Every single day — no exceptions. Inspect the tops, bottoms, sides, and between all toes for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or temperature changes. Use a mirror or smartphone camera for the soles if flexibility is limited. Neuropathy means you may not feel injuries, so visual inspection is your primary defense against ulceration and amputation.
What should I do if I find a wound on my diabetic foot?
Clean with mild soap and water (not hydrogen peroxide or betadine), apply non-adherent dressing, and call your podiatrist the same day. Do NOT use tight tape, do NOT soak the wound, and do NOT apply antibiotic ointment without medical guidance. Diabetic wounds that are not healing within 2 weeks, show spreading redness, or produce odor require urgent evaluation. Call (810) 206-1402 for same-day diabetic wound assessment.
Does insurance cover diabetic foot exams?
Yes. Medicare and most PPO plans cover annual diabetic foot exams including neuropathy screening. Medicare Part B also covers therapeutic shoes, custom inserts, and medically necessary nail care for diabetic patients. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we accept BCBS and most Michigan insurers. Call (810) 206-1402 to verify your coverage.
💊 Diabetic foot complications are preventable. Schedule your annual foot exam today.
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Same-day appointments. Howell & Bloomfield Hills. Most insurance accepted.
Your Daily Diabetic Foot Care Checklist
A consistent daily routine prevents most diabetic foot complications. Pair your home care with regular podiatric exams for complete protection.
Clinical References
- Singh N, Armstrong DG, Lipsky BA. Preventing foot ulcers in patients with diabetes. JAMA. 2005;293(2):217-228.
- Bus SA, Lavery LA, Monteiro-Soares M, et al. Guidelines on the prevention of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes (IWGDF 2019). Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2020;36(S1):e3269.
- Armstrong DG, Boulton AJM, Bus SA. Diabetic foot ulcers and their recurrence. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(24):2367-2375.
Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
3980 E Grand River Ave, Suite 140
Howell, MI 48843
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Bloomfield Hills Office
43700 Woodward Ave, Suite 207
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
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Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a podiatrist help with neuropathy?
What does neuropathy in feet feel like?
Is foot neuropathy reversible?
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