Foot Inspection Checklist: How to Spot Problems Early and Prevent Serious Complications

When you have diabetes, nerve damage, or poor circulation, your foot inspection checklist, a simple daily routine to check for signs of injury, infection, or decline in foot health. Also known as diabetic foot check, it’s one of the most effective ways to avoid amputations and hospital visits. Most people don’t realize how quickly a small cut or blister can turn into a life-threatening infection—especially if you can’t feel it.

People with peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage that reduces sensation in the feet often walk on injuries without knowing. A 2023 study in the Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications found that over 60% of diabetic foot ulcers were missed by patients because they didn’t feel pain. That’s why the foot inspection checklist, a step-by-step visual and tactile review of the feet isn’t optional—it’s survival. You’re not just looking for cuts or redness. You’re checking for swelling, warmth, calluses, changes in skin color, or odd smells—all signs of deeper trouble.

And it’s not just about diabetes. People on long-term steroids, those with kidney disease, or anyone with poor foot circulation, reduced blood flow that slows healing and increases infection risk need this too. Cold feet, numb toes, or slow-healing sores? These aren’t normal aging signs. They’re red flags. The foot inspection checklist helps you catch these before they escalate. It takes five minutes. You do it every day—after a shower, before bed, or while watching TV. No tools needed. Just your eyes, your hands, and a mirror.

The posts below cover real-world cases where skipping this simple step led to disaster—and how others used the same checklist to avoid amputation, hospitalization, or years of pain. You’ll find guides on what to look for, how to document changes, when to call a doctor, and even how to adapt the checklist for people with limited mobility or vision. Some posts tie into medication side effects that worsen foot health, like steroids that raise blood sugar or drugs that dry out skin. Others show how to pair this routine with proper footwear, moisture control, and professional care. This isn’t theory. It’s what works for people who’ve been there.