Readers in Mount Prospect sometimes hear that a clinic offers "complete" nerve screening. A fair first question is which parts of the foot are actually touched, and with what.
Short answer: several sites across the foot, using a monofilament
A study published on PubMed Central (NIH) lists the sites: "Nine plantar sites (distal great toe, third toe, and fifth toe; first, third, and fifth metatarsal heads; medial foot, lateral foot, and heel) and one dorsal site were tested". The same study on PubMed Central (NIH) names the tool as the Semmes-Weinstein 5.07 monofilament, used at 10 touch sites per foot.
One study, not a rule
These are the sites from one published study. They show what a documented protocol looks like, and they do not set a rule for every clinic. A protocol that names its sites and its tool is easier to check than a label that only says "complete."
Where to read more
MedlinePlus explains diabetic nerve problems, and the NHS covers peripheral neuropathy in general. For causes, see the NHS page on what causes peripheral neuropathy. The 2025 Standards of Care chapter on neuropathy and foot care is the clinical reference.
What to ask next
- Which spots on my feet will be checked, and with what tool?
- What happens if one spot gives a different result from the others?
- How often should the checks be repeated?
How the claim reads against the evidence
A published protocol gives you something concrete to compare against. When a screening is described only with a marketing word, ask for the sites and the tool, and judge it by the answer.