Diabetic shoes are shoes that are made to accommodate the feet and prevent complications that often accompany diabetes. Medicare and many insurance companies have seen fit to pay for diabetic shoes due to their benefit in preventing expensive medical problems.

Diabetes is an increasingly regular problem affecting more and more people everyday. Diabetes poses significant health risks for a number of reasons. In the feet diabetes causes a number of problems due to its effect on the vascular system, neurologic system, immune system.

Diabetics are at high risk for ulcerations due to be decreased feeling in their feet. Once a diabetic has an ulcer day need a good blood supply to feel that ulcer. The high blood sugars will cause enough damage to the vessels that the wound will not receive enough blood to heal. This means that the patient will have a wound that is unable to heal quickly.

An ulceration is also a source of infection. The skin is the body's first line of defense against infection. An ulceration is a break in the skin and in that defense system. So bacteria is able to enter the body. At this point it is the immune system that clears the infection. In diabetics with high blood sugars the immune system is deficient. This will allow the infection to spread. If the infection gets into the blood it can be life-threatening. Often times, if the infection gets into the bone, the bone needs to be removed calling for an amputation.

Diabetic shoes are designed to prevent ulcerations. A molding is taken of the patient's foot. This molding is sent to a lab where inserts for the shoes are made. These inserts are made to fit the patient's feet precisely. The inserts are also made out of a material that prevents irritation and excessive force in one area.

For a patient to have diabetic shoes made for them. The patient's primary physician must sign a document that states that the patient has diabetes. Our podiatry office will send that letter to the primary physician and the physician will send it directly back to the podiatry office. After the letter is received by the podiatry office will send the moldings to the lab and the shoes will be ready in roughly 4 weeks. Most insurances and Medicare allow for one pair of shoes with three pairs of inserts once a year.

If you are diabetic should be seen by podiatrist regularly. While at the our office you may be fitted for shoes which come in a variety of contemporary styles. Gone are the days of the large orthopedic shoes.