The 6 Best Shoes Podiatrists Recommend for People With Diabetes | Livestrong.com (2024)

FAQs

What type of shoe material is best for people who have diabetes? ›

Leather, canvas, and canvas-like materials are the most common options for diabetic shoes. These are breathable and flexible enough to accommodate swollen feet, which is especially important for people with diabetes. Many people prefer leather shoes because they're durable and long-lasting.

Part B (Medical Insurance)

covers the furnishing and fitting of either of these each calendar year, if you have diabetes and severe diabetes-related foot disease: One pair of custom-molded shoes and inserts. One pair of extra-depth shoes.

The international guidelines consider footwear “appropriate” for people with diabetes if it is closed, is sufficiently long and wide, has a thick sole with a soft insole and hard outer sole, effectively distributes pressure on the bottoms of the feet, and contains no seams or other protruding features inside.

Leave a bit of space (about the size of your thumb nail) between the tip of your big toe and your shoe. 4. Don't put shoes on without socks. Doing so can cause your foot to rub (more friction and pressure points) and can make it more prone to fungal infections because socks help absorb excess moisture.

If you are diabetic and have Medicare and Medicaid, you could be eligible for a pair of shoes and 3 pairs of moldable insoles. It is that easy! All you have to do is bring in your insurance cards and a prescription from your doctor. We will contact your doctor for any additional information we need for billing.

Diabetic shoes (sometimes referred to as extra depth, therapeutic shoes or sugar shoes) are specially designed shoes, or shoe inserts, intended to reduce the risk of skin breakdown in diabetics with existing foot disease and relieve pressure to prevent diabetic foot ulcers.

Everyone with diabetes should have an annual foot check.

Your foot check is part of your annual review, which means you should have it as part of your diabetes care and it's free on the NHS. This is because you're more likely to have serious foot problems and these can lead to amputations.

In-depth shoes.

It is generally an oxford-type or athletic shoe with an additional 1/4- to 1/2-inch of depth throughout the shoe, allowing extra volume to accommodate any needed inserts or orthoses, as well as deformities commonly associated with a diabetic foot.

If you require an orthopedic shoe, it must be prescribed by an authorized health care professional and fitted by an authorized provider. The authorized provider will have the necessary expertise to assess your needs, select the best shoe, and ensure that it fits correctly.

Should diabetics wear socks to bed? ›

Wear socks without seams. Avoid tight-fitting socks and garters. Wear socks in bed if your feet are cold at night. Do not use a hot water bottle or heating pad on your feet.

With the potential for nerve damage, your risk of minor cuts or wounds in your feet is much higher than for a person who doesn't have diabetes. And even a small wound can become infected if it doesn't heal well.

But that doesn't mean abdominal weight gain should be ignored. It can be an early sign of so-called "diabetic belly," a build-up of visceral fat in your abdomen which may be a symptom of type 2 diabetes and can increase your chances of developing other serious medical conditions.

High, wide toe box (high and wide space in the toe area) Removable insoles for fitting flexibility and the option to insert orthotics if necessary. Rocker soles, designed to reduce pressure in the areas of the foot most susceptible to pain, most notably the heel and the ball-of-the-foot.

For people with diabetes, Crocs offer added value in the protection they provide. Because people with diabetes have reduced circulation in their feet, Glickman says, they're at higher risk for open sores and wound infection. The spare room and antibacterial properties of Crocs help combat these problems.

Wear shoes all the time. If you don't want to wear shoes indoors, wear slippers with hard soles and good support. Keep your shoes next to your bed. Slip them on your feet as soon as you get out of bed.

Most patients with diabetes qualify for footwear and inserts under the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Bill. Medicare covers patients for one pair of shoes and three inserts per year.