Rise in diabetic foot condition: Doctors now employ AI for early detection

To tackle the growing burden of diabetic foot complications, podiatrists in Karnataka are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into diabetic foot screening, classification, and management.

An AI-powered Diabetic Foot Care and Research Centre has been set up at the Government Nandi Medical College Hospital in Chickballapur. The centre brings together advanced diagnostic tools, including pedobarography, vascular and neuropathy assessment, on a single integrated platform.

The initiative, developed by StrideAIde, a start-up founded by Pavan Belehalli, associate professor and head of the Department of Podiatry at the State-run Karnataka Institute of Endocrinology and Research (KIER), is being implemented by the Trinity Foundation, in collaboration with the BeST Cluster of IISc.

The centre will be formally inaugurated on World Diabetes Day, November 14.

Early detection through AI

Dr. Belehalli told The Hindu that conventional diabetic foot screening has relied heavily on specialised clinical expertise. “The introduction of AI now allows for early detection, accurate risk classification, and timely intervention, which can significantly reduce the risk of complications such as lower-limb amputations,” he said.

The centre integrates various diagnostic tools into one platform, powered by proprietary AI algorithms that enable precise classification of feet at risk. “It generates integrated reports to assist clinicians in early detection and referral,” Dr. Belehalli said.

StrideGPT

A key feature of the system is StrideGPT, an intelligent conversational AI agent designed to assist doctors, patients, and paramedical staff. “It allows users to interact easily with the system, minimising the need for specialised personnel to interpret complex diabetic foot data,” he explained.

Describing the Centre as a ‘significant step’ in decentralising diabetic foot care, Dr. Belehalli said it would help extend specialised services to taluk and district levels.

Rising burden

According to KIER data, diabetic foot cases among patients, particularly males aged 35 to 55, are on the rise. The institute recorded 13,091 patients in 2022, 13,958 in 2023, and 11,258 cases till October 2024. Between November 2024 and November 13, 2025, the number climbed to 13,542.

Overall, from 2022 till November 2025, 25,086 patients have undergone minor and major procedures at the KIER. The number of amputations has also increased – from 55 minor and 12 major amputations in 2023, to 65 major and 17 minor in 2024. This year, 28 major and 42 minor amputations have already been performed.

Dr. Belehalli said the institute’s average amputation rate ranges between 8% and 10%, attributing the rise to a lack of awareness and late presentation.

Nerve damage and complications

Foot problems are common among people with diabetes, often resulting from prolonged high blood sugar levels that damage nerves and blood vessels. This nerve damage, known as diabetic neuropathy, can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or a loss of sensation in the feet.

The reduced ability to feel pain, heat, or cold increases the risk of unnoticed injuries that can lead to ulcers and infections. If left untreated, such infections can worsen and may eventually require amputation to prevent further spread.