by Jorge Gonzales
People with diabetes are at high risk of developing diabetic foot. Unmanaged sugar levels of their body can damage their feet. One way to prevent injury and harm is to wear diabetic shoes. These are specially designed shoes that offer protection for diabetic feet by reducing the risk of skin breakdown. They are made taking various factors into consideration, such as width, height, material, posture and so on.
Now the question arises- Is there any difference between diabetic shoes for ladies & men and regular shoes? Well, the answer to this question is obviously YES! There are special characteristics of diabetic footwear that make it a lot different from a normal one. And these features are:
Increased depth orthotics/insoles: Diabetic shoes are made with more depth so as to leave room for insoles or orthotics. These shoes generally come with inserts as they cushion the heel, support arches, and correct uneven strides.
Thicker Soles: These shoes are made with soles that are significantly thicker to prevent any wear and tear. These soles are constructed from breathable and natural fibers to resist heat production.
Subtle Padding: In shoes for diabetics, padding is done around the tongue of the shoe and collar of the ankle. This keeps the feet secure in place thus preventing twisted ankles.
Absence of inner Seams: These shoes don’t have inner seams as these seams can rub against the foot and result in hot spots or blisters.
Non-skid soles: The stable design of diabetic shoes and no-slip soles keep wearers safe and secure. Their professional custom fittings prevent conditions like falling over, tripping over feet or twisting of the ankle.
Smooth interior: Blisters and ulcers are quite common in diabetic patients. To prevent such conditions, these shoes possess smooth interiors.
Increased space: Unlike normal footwear, diabetic shoes offer more room in the toe box. They also offer added protection. This is a helpful feature for individuals with hammertoes. In other words, diabetic shoes are intended to maximize blood flow to the feet as well as to be more comfortable.
High-Quality Material: Regular shoes are made from synthetic materials, leather, rubber, metal, plastic or anything else that is cheap. On the other hand, shoes for diabetics are constructed to be as sleek and smooth as possible without compromising on the material quality.
Presence of Heel counter: A heel counter is a plastic insert that supports the heel cup of a shoe. Diabetic shoes are built with a heel counter to keep feet in place and increase stability.
Diabetic insole to avoid movement within the footwear: Injuries and harms often caused by unsecured feet moving back and forth within shoes. To prevent this issue, diabetic shoes have multi-density diabetic insoles that prevent the movement within the shoe.
Last, but not least, diabetic shoes can be worn by anyone to enhance their overall foot health.
They offer added advantage of being designed according to one’s specifications and taste. That is, the entire shoe can be made as per an individual’s liking, style, and comfort.