What are diabetic shoes?
Diabetic shoes are therapeutic footwear that are primarily designed to provide comfort and protection to a diabetic’s problem feet, e.g., hyposensitivity (lack of feeling due to nerve damage), acute sensitivity and poor circulation which can cause swelling.
Diabetic shoes can also be worn by non-diabetics with similar at-risk foot problems to include various forms of bone deformity.
How are diabetic shoes different from conventional shoes?
Unlike conventional or regular shoes diabetic shoes are designed to support the plantar (sole) surface of the feet so that they cushion the high pressure areas which have a tendency toward receiving the most friction.
Think of diabetic shoes as an extension of seamless, padded, soft diabetic socks which provide the same comfort and protection to your feet.
Conventional shoes are also made in general widths and whole and half size lengths and many do not have adequate comfortable inserts (removable insoles can be replaced with prescribed orthotics) or soles and their insoles have seamed lining that can cause irritation.
Non-prescriptive custom-fitted diabetic shoes are available which includes specially molded thicker soles and cushioning inserts that can be replaced with prescribed orthotics insoles, and their lining can be deerskin or some other soft, seamless material.
Prescriptive diabetic shoes are custom-made to fit you feet and their condition. They have even more efficient molded thicker soles as well as cushioning inserts that go all the way to the toe area and they are lined with extremely soft seamless leather.
Like conventional shoes both non-prescriptive and prescriptive diabetic shoes come with either shoe laces or velcro straps. (Many wearers find that velcro straps are best as the amount of compression or snugness can be adjusted for personal comfort.)
What are the insole of diabetic shoes made of?
Diabetic shoes insoles are typically made of ALIPLAST or PPT/Plastizote. PROCELL has a number of advantages over ALIPLAST or PPT/Plastizote and other more open materials.
The closer structure of PROCELL reduces impression and keeps the orthosis from bottoming out. The material is less abrasive to the surface skin.
The protection and cushioning of the foot reduces friction and evenly distributes weight throughout the orthosis.
The contoured design ensures a good fit inside your diabetic shoes. It is recommended that the insole be changed 2-3 times a year.
Should diabetic shoes be worn everyday?
Diabetics who are at risk of foot problems should wear this type of proper footwear daily whenever they are on their feet, however, special shoes for diabetics should not be worn for during rigorous or active sports activities.
Who can write a prescription for comfort diabetic shoes?
Your podiatist or foot care professional can prescribe diabetic footwear if he or she feels that you have at-risk feet.
Your primary care clinician who is actively involved in regulary checking your diabetes can also prescribe diabetic shoes, however, many primary care physicians are not always up to date on the latest advancements in proper diabetic footwear on the market as much as your podiatrist will be.
Are diabetic shoes recommended for feet that have a tendency to swell during the day?
One of the complications that commonly effects diabetic feet is swelling. Most comfort diabetic shoes have a Velcro closure that allows them to be adjusted for swelling.
To also address the problems of swelling it is recommended that along with the diabetic shoes, diabetic support socks, gradient compression stockings, or non-gradient (TED hose) compression stocking hose either of which should be determined by your health care physician as each comes in various compressions (mmHg).
Does Medicare pay for comfort diabetic shoes?
Most diabetics custom-made diabetic shoes are covered by Medicare which will pay up to $300-$325 for one pair a year with a physician’s prescription.
