How to fit footwear for Diabetics

How to Fit Footwear for Diabetics
 

Over 200,000 people in New Zealand have either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes can cause loss of nerve sensation in the foot, this condition is referred to as neuropathy and it occurs when elevated sugar levels interfere with nerve signals from the feet to the brain.

Fitting footwear for diabetes that have loss of nerve sensation in the foot is very important as diabetes are at risk from poor circulation and therefore poor healing if blisters, corns or pressure points form. This can then lead to ulceration which if cannot be treated can lead to amputation.

I see the impact of badly fitting footwear on diabetics in my shop and unfortunately it is normally at the point where toes or partial foot amputation has already happened and they are looking for diabetic footwear to ensure no further damage occurs.

This piece is therefore to provide some knowledge about footwear for diabetics:
  • For diabetics that are healthy and have no loss of nerve sensation in the foot and retain good circulation then footwear advice is the same as I give to all people:
    • to get your feet measured and wear the correct width and length of footwear
    • wear rounded rather than pointed toes
    • stick to footwear that does not have lots of seams
    • wear leather or speciality designed material footwear that breathes
    • Check your feet often and watch for changes in nerve sensitivity
    • When your footwear is looking worn out - change it
  • For diabetics where nerve damage has occurred then it is important to protect your feet and wear diabetic footwear. A diabetic shoe can be identified as it is A5500 approved. For a shoe to be approved as diabetic footwear it needs to:
    • Have depth-inlay for multi-density insets
    • Ability to accept custom orthotics
    • Adjustable fastenings to ensure a good fit
    • Closed in back design
    • Available in 3 widths
  • There are also diabetic socks available from most chemists, these socks have no seams which reduces the risk of rubbing and breaking skin and causing foot damage that will be slow to heal or not heal at all.
  • Once you have purchased footwear that is approved for diabetics it is also important that give the footwear a chance to mold to your foot, so the following recommendation is given, this advice is also great for anyone who is just prone to blisters:
    • On day one, wear the shoes for 1 hour
    • On day two, wear the shoes for 1-2 hours
    • On day three, wear the shoes for 2-3 hours
    • On day four, wear the shoes for 3-4 hours
    • On day five, wear the shoes for 4-5 hours
    • On day six, wear the shoes for 5-6 hours
    • On day seven, wear the shoes for 6-7 hours
    • On day eight you can wear the shoes continuously
  • The brand I stock for Diabetes is called Propet, some styles are listed on my website but you can also look at www.propet.co.nz for the full available styles. If it is Diabetic it will have the A5500 logo on the style. You are then welcome to contact me about the style you are interested in
Please note that diabetic footwear can be worn by people without the condition. It will just mean there is a more room in the shoe, it will be breathable, have removable foot-beds and be a style that provides great quality. Diabetic footwear has to be quality as it is the number one defence in patients not facing amputation.

Click here to check out the diabetic approved Propet styles available online.