Why is Protective Sensation Important?

What is Protective Sensation? 

Protective sensation is your body's ability to detect stimuli (sometimes harmful), such as pain or pressure. It is one of those functions we rely on heavily but take for granted. 

Without protective sensation, you may not feel sharp objects, burns, cuts, sores, or infections, which can lead to serious complications. During all initial diabetic foot checks, skin and nail care appointments, and annual foot health checks our podiatrists assess your protective sensation. By testing for it, we can detect early signs of nerve damage, guiding patients on proper foot care and treatment to prevent injuries and maintain long-term foot health.

This assessment is especially crucial for people with conditions like peripheral neuropathy, where nerve damage reduces sensation. While this is commonly associated with diabetes there are many other conditions that can cause a loss of protective sensation, such as:

• Vitamin deficiencies

• Autoimmune conditions

• Infections (viral or bacterial)

• Alcoholism

• Kidney or liver disease

• Chemotherapy and toxins

• Genetic disorders

• Injury to the spinal cord or nerves

How do we test for Protective Sensation?

As podiatrists, we use painless tools such as a monofilament (pictured above) and a tuning fork to perform base line assessments and identify the status of your protective sensation.  We will also assess the reflexes to locate and assess for any neural damage. These tests are explained in detail below:

• Monofilament test: With your eyes closed, the podiatrist brushes a soft strand of nylon over certain parts of your feet and toes. You'll tell your provider when you feel the strand touching your foot.

• Tuning fork pressure and vibration perception: The podiatrist will place a tuning fork on different parts of your foot and toes to see if you can feel the vibrations.

• Ankle reflexes: The podiatrist will tap a small hammer on your Achilles tendon to assess whether your foot will jerk slightly on its own, indicating healthy nerve function.

If you are due for a diabetic foot check or have any concerns about your protective sensation, we recommend booking in to see a podiatrist or your general practitioner.