Rehabilitation at the Mayo
Clinic. “Make sure your foot has
space to spread and the shoe is
wide enough to accommodate
your foot without creating
pressure points,” she says, but
not so much space that your
foot slips side-to-side. Feel
inside the shoe, too. Seams
or bulky linings can bunch
up and cause hotspots.
Don’t aim for snug
With neuropathy, the decreased
sensation in your feet can make
it hard to determine if a shoe
fits. “Oftentimes, people choose
a shoe that’s too small. They
perceive the snug feeling as
a good fit, but it can be too
tight,” says Giurini. A narrow
toe box can squish your toes
and cause corns, calluses and
other injuries.
Pay attention to
your socks
Socks provide an extra layer
of protection between your
shoe and skin, reducing the
risk of blisters. Melissa Joy
Dobbins, dietitian and diabetes
educator, recommends going for
seamless, moisture-wicking
styles that keep your feet dry
and don’t pinch around the
calves or ankles. Look for
breathable material such as
cotton, wool or acrylic,
especially for exercise. A little
extra padding on the heel and
ball of the foot also helps.
Break them in slowly
It’s exciting to get a new pair
of shoes, but don’t wear them
all day right out of the box.
“Wean into wearing new shoes
the first week,” says Andrews.
Start with an hour the first day
and add 30 minutes each day.
Once you get to three hours
with no hotspots, you’re good
to go. Not sure your shoes
are right for your feet? Your
podiatrist can evaluate them.Do you need
INSOLES?
Bunions, hammertoes and
other changes to the shape of
your feet can create pressure
points and sores. Custom
inserts can be moulded around
these problem areas and
disperse the shock, allowing
the area to float rather than
hit the ground directly. Ask for
inserts specifically designed
for people with diabetes,
which provide three layers
of protection and support.
“Over-the-counter insoles
could be appropriate for
common conditions like plantar
fasciitis or foot or ankle pain,
but significant foot problems
usually will require a custom
solution,” says Giurini.Do you need ‘diabetes-
friendly’ shoes?
If your blood glucose is in your
goal range and you don’t have
a history of foot ulcers or
neuropathy, stick with shoes
from your local store. If you
have a history of serious
diabetes-related foot disease,
therapeutic shoes may help.
They’re designed to redistribute
the forces applied to your feet
when you walk, reducing your
risk of foot ulcers.Find your fit
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Bared Shoes Designed by
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- look for
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WORDS^ CHRISTINE^ YU,ELLIEGRIFFITHSPHOTOGRAPHYGETTYIMAGES