Just like last year, we are attending the Sons of Italy Street Fair event! There will be crafts, rides, and other fun activities for the whole family! This fair will happen on Sunday, September 27th, where will be giving out free screenings for anyone who wants to stop by our booth. While you're there, maybe you should look into buying a healthy pair of shoes specific for your feet. Having the right pair of shoes can really make a difference, especially if you have diabetes.
Since many diabetic individuals understand that shoes are important, people ask us, “Are diabetic shoes right for me?” While not every person with a diabetes diagnosis needs prescription footwear, the truth is that many who suffer from this increasingly common condition do not fully realize how much their feet are at risk.
Diabetes delivers a double whammy to your feet: high blood sugar can cause poor circulation and extensive nerve damage, leaving feet numb to sensations, slow to heal, and far more susceptible to wounds, injuries, and infections. If you’ve lost a lot of feeling, are prone to swelling, or have had issues in the past with corns, calluses, wounds, hammertoes, or other common foot problems, switching to specially-designed shoes is often the right choice.
Choosing a special shoe doesn’t mean you have to give up on style; it just means your pair needs a few specially crafted features to keep your feet from harm. They run deeper than ordinary sneakers, usually by about a quarter to half an inch, in order to fit custom inserts and provide room for toes (even hammertoes) to move friction-free.
The best diabetic shoes (and their accompanying orthotic inserts) will be custom-made for an individual by a trained professional, taking into account the exact contours and needs of the person’s feet. Every foot is different, and neuropathy can make it even more difficult for an untrained person to tell whether a fit is correct or not. Other important attributes include:
- Lightweight, flexible construction with a solid back
- Breathable uppers that provide plenty of cooling, drying air circulation
- A shock-absorbing sole for extra comfort and pressure relief
- Laces that are easy to loosen or tighten—since diabetic feet tend to swell frequently, you want to be able to easily alter your fit.
It’s also wise to go shoe shopping late in the day, with socks of the same thickness you intend to wear regularly. Feet tend to be at their largest in the late afternoon and evening, so you want to make sure your shoe will fit properly at its maximum extent.
If you suffer from diabetes and have experienced foot problems, check in with Mark Gasparini, DPM at Foot Specialists of Long Island. From yearly checkups to wound care, treatment for related conditions, and special shoes, we provide a full suite of conservative and surgical services to keep you and your feet healthy and strong. To schedule an appointment at our office, conveniently located just a block from the Massapequa LIRR station, give us a call at 516-804-9038, or toll-free at 844-899-8658.
