With intense glucose control you may reduce your overall risk of diabetic neuropathy by as much as 60 percent.

CNN: Diabetic neuropathy

Decreased oxygenation of leg muscles due to peripheral vascular disease and the pain of diabetic neuropathy can also be mistaken for cramps.

CNN: What causes leg cramps?

Diabetic neuropathy affects 10 million people in the U.S. and is the cause of at least 70% of the 100, 000 amputations performed each year.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The 68-year-old diabetic, who suffers from neuropathy (nerve damage), claimed these were vital and his check-up should not have been cancelled.

BBC: Feet showing superimposed computer image of bones