Diabetic Foot Exam
Reviewed
A diabetic foot exam is a comprehensive screening to find foot health problems in people with diabetes before they cause serious infection. It includes checking nerves, blood flow, skin, and foot structure. The goal is to estimate your risk of foot ulcers and infections that could lead to amputation.
Preparation and collection
No special preparation is needed.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- The exam is a screening assessment, not a diagnostic test. It estimates your risk of developing foot ulcers and infections but does not confirm a diagnosis.
- False reassurance may occur if early signs are missed; false concern may arise from benign findings that require further evaluation.
- The exam does not replace daily self-checks or blood sugar management.
What to do next
Your provider will discuss your risk level and recommend follow-up based on the findings. If your risk is high, you may need a complete foot exam more than once a year. Daily foot care and blood sugar control are essential to prevent complications.