Your Complete Guide to Diabetic Foot Care Perth Residents Need to Know
Why Your Feet Deserve More Attention If You Live with Diabetes
More than 4,400 diabetes-related amputations are performed every year in Australia, yet Diabetes Australia estimates that up to 85% of them could be prevented with early detection and proper management. That is a staggering number — and it highlights exactly why diabetic foot care Perth residents live with diabetes should be a top priority.
When blood sugar levels stay high over time, they can damage the nerves and blood vessels in your feet. You may lose feeling, develop sores without realising it, or find that small cuts heal much more slowly than they used to. Without regular professional monitoring, these minor issues can quickly become serious infections.
At On The Go Rehabilitation Services, our mobile podiatrists bring professional foot assessments and treatment straight to your home across the Perth metropolitan area. If you or someone you care about lives with diabetes, don’t wait for a problem to appear — call us on 0429 115 211 or visit onthegorehab.com.au to arrange a visit.
This article explains how diabetes affects your feet, what a professional foot check involves, how home-based podiatry compares to clinic visits, and how to access the right care.
How Diabetes Damages Your Feet Over Time
Diabetes-related foot disease is one of the most common and serious complications of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. A systematic review published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research found that diabetic foot disease is a leading cause of hospitalisation, amputation, and disability in Australia — with rates significantly higher in populations that have limited access to treatment.
Two main problems drive most diabetic foot complications. The first is peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve damage that reduces sensation in the feet. When you can’t feel pain properly, you might not notice a blister from a tight shoe, a small stone in your sock, or a crack in the skin between your toes. The second is peripheral vascular disease, which restricts blood flow to the lower limbs. Poor circulation means wounds heal slowly, infections take hold more easily, and tissue damage can progress rapidly.
According to research in PMC, at least one in five people with diabetes will develop some kind of foot disease during their lifetime, and ulcer recurrence rates can reach 40% within the first year after healing. For Perth residents managing diabetes, regular professional foot checks are one of the most effective ways to catch problems early — before they become emergencies.
What Professional Diabetic Foot Care Perth Clients Should Expect
Risk Assessment and Nerve Testing
A thorough diabetic foot assessment goes well beyond clipping toenails. Your podiatrist will test sensation in your feet using tools like a monofilament — a thin fibre pressed against the skin to see whether you can feel it. They will also check the pulses in your feet to assess blood flow, look at the skin for any signs of breakdown, and examine the structure of your foot for deformities like bunions or hammertoes that increase pressure on certain areas.
This kind of assessment is best performed regularly — at least once a year for people at low risk, and more often if you’ve already had an ulcer, amputation, or nerve damage. The goal is to identify problems at the earliest possible stage when they are still easy to treat.
Routine Nail and Skin Care
For people with diabetes, even basic nail care carries risk. Cutting nails too short or at the wrong angle can lead to ingrown toenails, which can become infected quickly when circulation is poor. A podiatrist handles nail trimming safely and also treats corns, calluses, and dry skin — all of which can break down and create entry points for infection if left unmanaged.
Having this care delivered at home means you don’t need to bend down to reach your own feet (which can be difficult if you have limited flexibility), and you don’t need to travel to a clinic with an open wound or sore.
Wound Monitoring and Ulcer Prevention
If you already have a wound or an area of concern on your foot, regular monitoring is vital. A mobile podiatrist can track changes between visits, adjust dressings, and refer you for further treatment if needed. Because they see your feet in your home, they can also check whether your footwear, flooring, and daily habits are contributing to the problem — something a clinic visit simply can’t replicate.
The Key Benefits of Home-Based Diabetic Foot Care Perth Residents Rely On
There are several reasons why more and more people with diabetes across Perth are choosing mobile podiatry over clinic visits:
- No travel with open wounds. Getting into a car or onto public transport with a foot ulcer or sore increases the risk of further injury and infection. A mobile podiatrist removes that risk entirely by coming to your home.
- Assessment in your real environment. Your podiatrist can check the shoes you actually wear around the house, look at the surfaces you walk on, and spot hazards you might not have noticed — such as rough tiles, loose rugs, or poorly fitting slippers.
- Easier for older adults and people with limited mobility. Many people living with diabetes also deal with other conditions like arthritis, vision loss, or obesity that make travelling to appointments difficult. Home visits remove that barrier completely.
- Family members can be present. When a partner or carer is in the room, they can learn what to look for between professional visits and help with daily foot hygiene routines.
- Flexible scheduling. Rather than fitting into a clinic’s timetable, you choose a time that works for you — including weekends.
Mobile Podiatry vs Clinic-Based Foot Care for People with Diabetes
Deciding between a home visit and a trip to the clinic? This table outlines the main differences for people who need ongoing diabetic foot care Perth providers offer.
| Feature | Mobile Home-Based Podiatry | Clinic-Based Podiatry |
|---|---|---|
| Travel required | None — podiatrist comes to you | Client must arrange transport |
| Wound infection risk during travel | Eliminated | Present, especially with open sores |
| Home environment assessment | Yes — footwear, flooring, hazards checked | Not possible |
| Waiting times | No waiting lists or waiting rooms | May involve long waits |
| Family and carer involvement | Easy — sessions happen at home | Family may need time off work to attend |
| Scheduling flexibility | 7-day availability, including weekends | Typically weekday business hours |
| Personalisation | Treatment adapted to your living situation | Standardised clinic environment |
On The Go Rehabilitation Services: Diabetic Foot Care Perth Families Depend On
At On The Go Rehabilitation Services, we see firsthand what happens when diabetic foot problems go unnoticed for too long. That’s why our mobile podiatrists visit clients at home right across the Perth metropolitan area — from Two Rocks in the north to Mandurah in the south and the Perth Hills to the east — to provide regular foot assessments, routine nail and skin care, wound monitoring, and footwear advice.
Our team works alongside our physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, occupational therapists, dietitians, and speech pathologists to provide coordinated care for people managing diabetes and its complications. With over 55 years of combined clinical experience, our therapists are registered with all relevant regulatory bodies and stay up to date with current evidence-based practices.
We are approved providers for NDIS, Medicare, DVA, and major private health funds. If you have a Chronic Disease Management plan from your GP, podiatry sessions may be covered under Medicare. NDIS participants with diabetes-related disability can access podiatry through their plan, and DVA card holders are also eligible. We schedule appointments seven days a week with no waiting times. Call 0429 115 211 to arrange your first diabetic foot care Perth visit today.
Practical Tips to Protect Your Feet Every Day
Professional podiatry is one part of the picture, but what you do at home between visits matters just as much. Here are some daily habits that can make a real difference:
- Check your feet every day. Look at the tops, bottoms, and between your toes for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or changes in colour. If you can’t see the bottom of your feet easily, use a mirror or ask someone to help.
- Wash and dry your feet carefully. Use lukewarm water (not hot — you may not feel the temperature accurately) and dry thoroughly between the toes, where moisture can lead to fungal infections.
- Moisturise, but not between the toes. Keep the skin on the tops and soles of your feet soft with a plain moisturiser, but avoid the spaces between toes where excess moisture encourages infection.
- Wear well-fitted shoes and clean socks. Avoid going barefoot, even at home. Check the inside of shoes for stones, rough seams, or worn areas before putting them on. Change socks daily.
- Never treat corns or calluses yourself. Over-the-counter corn removers and sharp instruments are risky when you have reduced sensation. Leave this work to your podiatrist.
Blood sugar management also plays a direct role in foot health. Working with a dietitian to optimise your eating habits and an exercise physiologist to build a safe activity routine can help keep glucose levels steadier and protect your circulation over time.
Are You Giving Your Feet the Attention They Deserve?
Diabetes-related foot disease remains one of the most preventable causes of hospitalisation and amputation in Australia. With the right combination of professional monitoring and daily self-care, you can dramatically lower your risk of serious complications.
So ask yourself: when was your last professional foot assessment? Do you check your feet every day, or has it slipped off your radar? And are you taking advantage of the funding options — Medicare, NDIS, DVA, or private health insurance — that could cover regular podiatry visits?
If you’re ready to take the next step in protecting your feet, reach out to On The Go Rehabilitation Services. Call 0429 115 211 or visit onthegorehab.com.au to speak with our team about diabetic foot care Perth residents trust.