Healthy Shoe Shopping: Chronicles of a Diabetic Foot

Looking for that perfect pair of shoes this holiday season? Your trusted podiatrist in Plano, Irving and Lewisville, offers a word of caution for many patients who should beware the “Diabetic Foot Monster.”

Patients with diabetes must be very alert for any signs of diabetic foot syndrome. According to the Medical Dictionary, it’s a foot suffering from a constellation of pathologic changes affecting the lower extremity in patients with diabetes. In other words, it’s a large pain in the diabetic foot!

Neuropathy (nerve damage) and improper blood flow may produce a small blister on the foot that causes dry and cracked skin, thus allowing an opportunity for bacteria to set in the wound and rapidly progress into a more severe infection. The podiatrist and foot surgeon at Southwest Foot and Ankle Center can help with wound care and foot surgery when needed, but everyone agrees prevention is the best option.

Select Shoes Wisely for Diabetic Feet

Here are a few things to keep in mind, if you’re buying for a diabetic foot patient (or you suffer from diabetic foot syndrome, yourself):

• Keep it comfortable from the moment you put shoes on. There should be no need for a “breaking in” period (Note: feet are larger late in the day).
• Measure feet each time you shop for shoes (width, length, back, bottom of heel, and sole).
• Favor leather upper material and deep toe boxes (avoid high heels and pointed toes)
• Wear new shoes only 2 hours at a time. Don’t wear the same pair every day.
• Inspect the inside of each shoe before putting it on.
• Do not lace your shoes too tightly or too loosely.
• When walking, remember to check feet for redness or ulcers, periodically.

If you or anyone is dealing with diabetic foot syndrome and would like to schedule an appointment with our Southwest Foot and Ankle Center podiatrist, contact us online or call 972-318-2738 in Lewisville, 972-805-9985 in Plano or 972-318-2655 in Irving.