Diabetes can cause devastating foot problems. It is recommended that every diabetic person have a yearly diabetic foot exam to prevent such foot problems. By having a diabetic foot exam your doctor can determine the risk factors involved. Risk factors involved with diabetes are poor circulation, burning and poor sensation in the feet, foot structural deformity (bunions, hammertoes, preulcerative callus, etc) just to name a few. All these can cause further damage to the feet and can even lead to ulcerations, infection and amputations if not wearing the proper shoe gear. Ulcers are the number one cause of limb amputations. Studies show that by having your feet checked yearly by a podiatrist can significantly lower the risk of amputations.
During your yearly diabetic foot exam, your podiatrist will determine what is your risk level and whether or not you need to wear diabetic shoes or not. Your circulation will be assessed, your nerves will be checked for neuropathy, and structural deformity will be noted. Many diabetics have all these 3 problems and don’t even know it. But having poor circulation and not feeling your feet are very serious problems. In fact, there are a lot of diabetics with poor circulation and burning or numb feet. What happens is, they will be ignoring their feet and since a good part of them do not know they have a problem or pain since their feet are numb.
Thus, the major problems are they are unable to feel their feet, their circulation is weak and on top of that, many also have bunions or contracted toes. And not wearing the proper shoe gear can easily cause pressure to the bunions or contracted toes and they will end up forming a little sore. But this little sore soon end up into a big sore. This sore can easily get infected due to the poor circulation and can be a devastating problem. This may lead to toe amputation or foot amputation.
Therefore, it is important that diabetic patients wear proper shoe gear to lower the risk of ulceration, infections and amputation.
How is a diabetic shoe different from a regular nondiabetic shoe?
Diabetic shoes are designed specifically for diabetic persons. They are also called extra depth shoes or therapeutic diabetic shoes. The reason being is that they are made in such a way to offer protection for the diabetic foot thus reduce foot ulcerations.
Diabetic shoes offer 3 major unique qualities.
First quality is just as the name implies, extra depth, they have the extra depth that is required by the diabetic foot due to the deformity, swelling, poor circulation. They have more height into their toe box than a nondiabetic shoe.
Second quality is extra width. They range from narrow width to extra extra wide width. Many diabetics have difficulty finding the right shoes due to their deformity. Thus, diabetic shoes offer the extra room that is required by the diabetic foot.
Third quality is they have special heat molded insoles or custom molded insoles. These insoles are made of soft plastizote material which will mold to the patient’s foot deformity and thus prevent ulceration. Each shoe comes with either 3 pairs heat molded insoles or 3 pairs custom molded insoles.
Did you know you can obtain your diabetic shoes right here in our office? Yes, that’s right.
Dr. Strimbu can evaluate your feet, determine if you are at risk, and if you are, you can be fitted with diabetic shoes and insoles right here in our office. If you qualify, you are eligible to get a pair of diabetic shoes and insoles. Most insurances cover these diabetic shoes and insoles every year.
We have a huge selection of diabetic shoes that you can pick from including Dr. Comfort, Orthofeet, Anodyne, Atrex, Apex, Ped-Lite
Call (954)455-9404 or Click Here to Make Your Appointment Today.
