Diabetic Shoes

By  Martin Lambert

Diabetic shoes are designed for those with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy and they protect the feet from cuts, scrapes and abrasions.

For some people who suffer from diabetes, the wearing of shoes that misfit or are too tight can be not only uncomfortable, but dangerous.

One unpleasant, although uncommon, side effect of diabetes is a condition called peripheral neuropathy. This condition can cause a slight loss of feeling in the extremities of the body like the feet and this in turn can result in scuffing or cutting of the feet without any "pre-warning" pain.

When this happens, sores and even ulceration can occur and this can become a serious issue for some sufferers of diabetes.

The way to avoid these potential problems is to wear diabetic shoes.

Diabetic shoes have no obvious visual differences from conventional shoes, the only noticeable distinction is that they do not come with high heals. Other than that their styles, materials and colours are flexible, but their primary design objective is comfort and foot support rather than fashion. Many diabetic style shoes are often referred to as orthopedic shoes.

Features of diabetic shoes

A well fitted pair of diabetic shoes should be comfortable to wear, even for long periods of time, and they should not rub or bite on any part of the foot.

These shoes are designed to be slightly wider and deeper than regular shoes and they also allow the addition of a removable (and replaceable) diabetic insole. These insoles are shaped to the contours of the foot and some utilise modern materials like visco elastic memory foam for padding. The design of these shoes allows periodic replacement of the insole, or the option to try different types of insole until the best fit is found.

Good diabetic or orthopedic shoes should allow sufficient room for the toes to move and for the feet to expand during prolonged standing, or on a hot day. Good quality shoes need to work with, and accommodate to, the changes of the feet during activities like walking and to provide air circulation within the shoe.

Many diabetic shoes are manufactured from highly breathable materials to facilitate air circulation and sandal designs are popular. Fabrics and materials are also used in diabetic shoe construction more than traditional leather.

Other features of these shoes include the avoidance of interior seems that can rub and scuff, and the inclusion of specially designed toe boxes that prevent the toes from being squeezed.

It is also advisable to select a shoe with the greatest level of adjustability and tightness control. This means that shoes with multiple fasteners and Velcro (loop and hook) fastenings are ideal.

For a more complete list of diabetic shoe properties, see http://www.orthopedic-shoes.net/diabetic.html and if you are contemplating buying some diabetic shoes, remember that having the shoes fitted correctly is as important as selecting them in the first place.

Most shoes marketed as "orthopedic" or "easy-fit" shoes will also offer the same roomy and function designed attributes as those labelled as diabetic, so there is a good selection of styles to choose from.

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