When spring is in the air, the community of Massapequa, NY starts buzzing! The Massapequa Spring Festival is coming up on May 17-18, 2014. Local vendors, unique gifts and crafts, and great food will make this a fun event to attend, and a great way to support your local community. If you have diabetes, we suggest investing in a pair of diabetic shoes before walking around at the festival all day.
When you hear the words diabetic shoes you may envision an old-fashioned pair that your grandparent might wear, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Diabetes can affect anyone at any age, and proper footwear is an essential part of foot care, no matter what stage you are in. The reason for this is two-fold: poor circulation and nerve damage. Both of these complications, mixed with poor footwear, can result in serious injuries, and non-healing wounds could even lead to amputation without the right treatment. The reality is that a poor pair of shoes that does not fit your feet simply puts you at risk for injury, and diabetic shoes help avoid that.
The qualities of shoes appropriate for a person with diabetes can be found in both store-bought and prescription footwear. The important factors are fit, shape, and comfort. The goal of diabetic shoes is to reduce any areas of pressure on your feet, reduce the shock of impact from walking, stabilize your feet for balance, and accommodate any deformities you may have. A small blister from friction inside a shoe could turn into a serious wound. Nerve damage can also inhibit feeling on the bottom of your feet, making your shoe choice very important for balance and reducing the risk of falls. It is also beneficial to wear custom orthotics in your shoes for extra support and stabilization. This may require a shoe with extra depth.
For further information on proper shoes for diabetes, or if you have diabetic foot concerns, we are here to help. Contact Mark Gasparini, D.P.M. at (516) 804-9038 or visit us online to request an appointment at our office in Massapequa, NY.
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