Diabetic Foot Syndrome
Diabetic Foot
Regular podiatric treatment is not a comfort for people with diabetes mellitus, but genuine preventive care. It protects against wounds, infections and their consequences.
Why the foot is special in diabetes
When the foot loses its warning function
Persistently elevated blood sugar damages fine nerves and blood vessels over the years. Two developments are decisive for the foot: diabetic polyneuropathy, in which the sense of pain and pressure diminishes, and peripheral arterial disease, in which blood flow to the feet decreases. The two often occur together.
The consequence is insidious: a pressure point in a shoe, a nail corner cut too short, or a small foreign body goes unnoticed. An inconspicuous callus can develop into an ulcer within a few days, which then heals only slowly because of the reduced blood supply. This is precisely where podiatric treatment comes in – it identifies and removes the early stages before a wound develops.
Professional bodies and the German National Disease Management Guideline on diabetic foot syndrome therefore recommend a structured foot examination at least once a year – considerably more often where risk is elevated – along with regular podiatric treatment by a state-recognised professional.
Warning signs
When you should not wait
- Numbness, tingling or a sensation of “walking on cotton wool”
- Diminished sensitivity to pain, temperature or vibration
- Dry, cracked skin and reduced perspiration
- Pressure marks, blisters or callus with signs of bleeding underneath
- Discoloured, thickened or ingrown nails
- Wounds that do not heal within a few days
If you have an open wound, redness with local warmth, fever, or a sudden change in the shape of your foot, you should seek medical treatment immediately. In these cases podiatry does not replace wound care but supports it in a meaningful way.
Treatment process
How we treat the diabetic foot
History and foot assessment
We record the duration of your diabetes, HbA1c values, accompanying conditions and medication. We then assess your skin, nails, foot shape, pressure points and footwear.
Basic neurological and vascular examination
Sensitivity testing with a monofilament, a tuning-fork test for vibration perception, and palpation of the foot pulses. This allows us to detect polyneuropathy or circulatory problems at an early stage.
Risk classification
Based on the findings, we assign your foot to a risk category. This determines how frequently treatment should take place – usually every four to six weeks.
Complex podiatric treatment
Gentle trimming and filing of the nails, careful removal of calluses and corns without injuring the skin, relief of pressure points, and skin care.
Documentation and feedback
Every finding is documented in writing. We report any abnormalities directly back to your treating physician.
Advice for home care
Daily foot inspection, suitable care products, appropriate footwear, and clear warning signs that mean you should seek medical advice immediately.
Cost coverage
Statutory health insurance covers the treatment
If diabetic foot syndrome with skin or nerve damage has been diagnosed, complex podiatric treatment is covered by German statutory health insurers (Krankenkasse). Your doctor issues a prescription (Heilmittelverordnung), usually for six or ten treatments. You only pay the statutory co-payment, unless you are exempt.
All details on prescriptions, deadlines and co-payments can be found on our page for insurance patients. Prices for self-pay services are listed in our price overview.