Diabetic Shoes

A patient asked me, "What kind to shoes should I be wearing as a diabetic?" For the answer, there are a few guidelines to follow. The best thing to do first is to see a podiatrist and have your feet evaluated. Not only will you get a thorough exam, but you will also receive invaluable information and education about your feet and the structure of your feet. In addition, many podiatrist offices like ours, Prairie Path Foot and Ankle Clinic, are certified to fit and dispense diabetic shoes such as Dr. Comfort brand, if you qualify per Medicare standards.
For those patients whom that is not an option, then there are several qualities to look for in a shoe. Firstly, it should have a wide toe box. This is in order to accommodate any foot structural deformities, such as bunions or hammer toes. This would prevent any irritation against the skin that could turn into an ulcer or an open sore.
The next thing to look for is good padding along the sole of the shoe. Some have extra cushioning in order to accommodate any bony prominences or areas of increased pressure, again, to prevent a sore from forming. In addition, the shoe should be easy to adjust with laces or velcro, in order to take into account the fact that the feet may swell at the end of the day, and the shoe can easily expand.
Most importantly, until you are confident that your shoes are well fitting and free of risk, you must break in your shoes. Wear them a couple of hours a day, and slowly increase until you can wear them all day. Be sure to check your feet for areas of redness and irritation, and if you do find this, take the shoes back to where you purchased them and schedule an appointment to have your feet examined again by a podiatrist to make sure no new sores or ulcers have occurred.
Please stop by our office at Prairie Path Foot and Ankle Clinic and see our line of Dr. Comfort diabetic shoes. After a thorough diabetic foot exam, our Certified Podiatric Medical Assistant will be happy to assist you in picking out a pair of shoes. Happy Walking!