| Diabetes is a condition in which your body is either | | | | are basically like walking on a nail head.) And the |
| unable to produce insulin (a hormone that helps | | | | toe box of the shoe should offer plenty of room. |
| the body process sugar), or your tissues don't | | | | 5) Pick shoes that have about 3/4" of space |
| respond to the insulin that's produced. This leads | | | | between your big toe and the inside of the shoe. |
| to too much sugar in the blood, which, in turn, can | | | | Make sure that the toe box is high enough to |
| damage blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, the heart, | | | | accommodate any toe deformities, such as |
| the eyes, and the feet. | | | | hammertoes. (Just like most people, toes prefer |
| Because of nerve damage to your feet, it may | | | | habitations with plenty of space.) Also, feel free |
| be difficult for you to feel when you've done | | | | to reach inside the shoe and feel it to make sure |
| something like step on a small piece of glass or | | | | there are no ridges, wrinkles or seams that could |
| stubbed your toe. And, poor circulation means | | | | cause irritation to your foot. You want a smooth |
| that injuries or infections may take a long time to | | | | lining. (You'll also want to check your shoes for |
| heal. So, preventing injuries and irritations to your | | | | foreign objects (like little rocks |
| foot is an important part of avoiding serious | | | | or—ugh—spiders) each time you put |
| complications. Selecting proper footwear is, in turn, | | | | them on.) |
| the first step in avoiding injuries and irritations. | | | | 6) Once you have diabetes, it may be necessary |
| Say you're going off on a shoe-shopping | | | | to give up some types of shoes, simply because |
| expedition. Here are some things to keep in mind: | | | | they either expose your feet to danger, or |
| 1) The end of the day is the best time to go | | | | because they themselves may cause too much |
| shoe shopping, since that's when feet are at their | | | | pressure or irritation to your foot. Definitely give |
| largest. (They're all stretched out from the rigors | | | | up high heels. They offer little or no support and |
| of the day. And aren't expeditions best when | | | | put your feet in horribly awkward (and damaging) |
| done at sunset, anyway?) | | | | positions (kind of like the worst high school bully |
| 2) Be on the lookout for experienced shoe-fitters. | | | | ever). Also avoid sandals, especially the kind with |
| Whenever you go shoe shopping, be sure to have | | | | thongs between the toes, as well as slippers |
| your feet measured to get the best fit (since | | | | (which offer very little protection), or any kind of |
| even when you're an adult your feet may change | | | | shoe with open toes or heels. |
| over time), and be sure to let the clerk know | | | | Once you get your new shoes home, be sure not |
| that you have diabetes. Let the clerk fit the | | | | to wear them more than two hours at a time at |
| shoes for you, then walk about in your shoes for | | | | first, until your feet are used to them. (This does |
| a bit (5-10 minutes should work) to make sure | | | | NOT mean, however, that you need to break |
| they're comfortable immediately. Take them off | | | | your shoes in. Your shoes should never be |
| and check your feet (or have the clerk check for | | | | uncomfortable, and should fit well from hour one.) |
| you) for any signs of redness. (Redness indicates | | | | As the days pass, you'll be able to increase the |
| that there's undue pressure in an area.) If there is | | | | time you wear your new shoes for an hour |
| redness, then keep on searching; those shoes are | | | | longer each day. And, these shouldn't be the only |
| not for you. Trade Home is the name of a | | | | shoes you wear. It's best to rotate your |
| national chain of shoe stores that train their | | | | footwear about every five hours so that you |
| associates to fit patients. If you are unable to feel | | | | change the pressure points on your feet (and |
| your feet you should be fit for shoes that have | | | | thus avoid the development of ulcers). Have one |
| multidensity insoles. | | | | pair for morning, one for the afternoon hours, and |
| 3) Look for shoes that are made of leather, | | | | one for evening. |
| suede or canvas, since these are soft, flexible, | | | | You'll also want to get your shoes checked out |
| breathable materials (leather uppers are best). In | | | | by your podiatrist. He or she knows what can |
| fact, you may find the best fit with modern | | | | cause problems to diabetic feet, and can check |
| running or walking shoes. (The New Balance brand | | | | your shoes to be sure they're made well, fit you |
| walking shoe is often an excellent choice.) | | | | properly, and will not cause irritation to your foot. |
| 4) The widest part of your foot should match the | | | | If you're having trouble finding shoes in the store |
| widest part of the shoe (and it goes without | | | | that fit you properly, or if your podiatrist |
| saying really that the width of the shoe should | | | | recommends it, you may be able to get shoes |
| easily accommodate the width of your foot). | | | | that are developed specifically for diabetics. In |
| Because your feet are such a pleasing shape, you | | | | fact, your podiatrist may be able to prescribe |
| should pick a shoe that fits the outline of your | | | | lab-made shoes that are designed to fit your feet |
| feet quite well. In short, they should be snug, but | | | | in particular (which should make you feel extra |
| not tight. Heels should give a wide base of | | | | special, of course). Special shoes, if indicated, are |
| support. (These are not high heels, folks, which | | | | often covered under insurance plans, or Medicare. |