Vital Foot Care Advice for Athletes With Diabetes

Your blood sugar levels are well-controlled, your training is consistent, but there’s another level of self-care that matters, too. Diabetic athletes face foot health challenges that can turn minor injuries into major setbacks—or worse, permanent damage.

The good news is these complications are largely preventable with the right approach. Massapequa Podiatry Associates specializes in helping Long Island's diabetic athletes stay active, avoid sports injuries, and protect their feet from serious risks.

What Foot Health Risks Do Diabetic Athletes Face?

Even with careful monitoring, high blood sugar levels can damage nerves in your feet, a condition called diabetic neuropathy. This nerve damage reduces your ability to feel pain, temperature changes, or pressure. As an athlete, you might not notice a small stone in your shoe, a blister forming, or even a minor cut until it becomes a serious problem.

Diabetes also affects your body's ability to fight infections and heal wounds. What might be an annoying ingrown toenail, a minor scrape, or irritating heel fissures for another athlete could become a major issue for you. Small cuts or blisters might develop into deep ulcers, and infections spread more rapidly since this disease compromises your immune system.

Poor circulation compounds these problems. Reduced blood flow to your feet means that injuries heal more slowly and infections are harder for your body to fight naturally. The repetitive stress that athletic activities place on your feet might also make problems worse.

Why Exercise Matters for Diabetes Management

Our first goal is to help you stay on track with your movement goals. Regular physical activity serves as one of the most powerful tools for managing diabetes effectively. Exercise helps your body use insulin more efficiently, leading to better blood sugar control throughout the day. 

Additionally, exercise improves circulation throughout your body, including the feet. This enhanced blood flow becomes particularly important for diabetic athletes, as the disease can impair circulation over time. Better circulation means more oxygen and nutrients reach your feet, supporting healing and reducing infection risks.

To help you better manage your condition from the ground up, here’s what else our sports medicine experts recommend. 

4 Tips for Daily Foot Checks

Make foot inspection a non-negotiable part of your day-to-day routine. Take a few minutes to:

1. Do a complete visual examination. Remove your shoes and socks completely, then examine the tops, bottoms, and sides of both feet. Look for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or changes in skin color.
2. Check between toes. Pay special attention to areas between your toes, where moisture and bacteria often create problems. If necessary, use a small mirror or ask a family member to help you see the bottom of your feet clearly.
3. Feel for changes. See if you detect swelling, warmth, or other changes through touch that might not be immediately visible. Unusually warm areas could indicate the beginning of an infection.
4. Document problems. Note any changes, no matter how small. Take photos if neceesary, and record the date when you first observed these issues.

What Type of Footwear Works Best for Athletes With Diabetes?

You’re probably already aware of how sports-specific footwear makes all the difference in your performance. Here are some other ways your shoe selection is the first line of defense against diabetic foot injuries:

• Proper timing and fit. Always for athletic shoes in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest. Ensure about a thumb's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
• Seamless construction. Look for footwear with smooth interiors or minimal seam placement. Ridges can create pressure points that lead to blisters or sores.
• Multiple pairs. Make sure to change out your athletic shoes frequently. This allows each pair to dry completely between uses, reducing the risk of fungal infections.
• Regular replacement. Sports footwear should be replaced every 300–500 miles for runners, or every 6–8 months for other activities.

When Should You Contact Massapequa Podiatry Associates?

Establish a relationship with our Long Island podiatrists before problems develop. Regular preventive visits allow our team to monitor changes in your feet and catch potential issues early. Many of our athlete-patients with diabetes benefit from quarterly check-ups, which include: 

• Visual inspection
• Circulation assessment
• Nerve testing
• Musculoskeletal exam
• Gait analysis 

Based on these assessments, we devise the best possible treatment approach and prevention strategies for your situation and refer you to any other specialists. However, schedule an appointment with us immediately if you notice:

• Any open wounds
• Signs of infection
• Persistent pain or swelling
• Tingling, burning, or numbness

What Else Can You Do to Prevent Diabetic Foot Injuries?

As part of your continuing care team, we’ll help you manage your condition more effectively with prevention strategies that help you stay active while minimizing risks such as:

• Blood sugar control. Keep your levels as stable as possible, especially around workout times. High levels impair healing and increase infection risk.
• Gradual progression. Warm up properly before each session and cool down afterward. Incremental increases in activity help prevent overuse injuries that might go unnoticed due to diabetic neuropathy.
• Pre-workout inspection. Before each workout, thoroughly inspect your footwear. Remove debris, check for wear patterns, and ensure shoes are completely dry.
• Proper socks. Always wear moisture-wicking socks designed for athletic activities. Avoid cotton, which retains moisture. Instead, choose synthetic materials or wool blends.
• Integrated care. Consider working with both your endocrinologist and our sports podiatry specialists to develop a comprehensive care plan that addresses both your diabetes management and athletic goals.  

How can our Long Island podiatrists help you maintain total health? Complete this foot and body wellness assessment to learn more!