If you have diabetes, choosing the right footwear is vital, even at the earliest stages of the disease.
People with diabetes should choose shoes that:
- Accommodate, stabilize, and support deformities, loss of fatty tissue, hammertoes, and amputations. Many deformities need to be stabilized to relieve pain and avoid further damage or progression of the deformity.
- Limit motion of joints. Limiting the motion of certain joints in the foot can decrease inflammation, relieve pain, and result in a more stable and functional foot.
- Reduce shock and shear. Shock is the amount of vertical pressure on your foot, and shear is the horizontal movement within a shoe. Your footwear should keep your foot snugly in place, without being too tight.
- Relieve any area where there is excessive pressure on your foot, which could lead to skin problems or ulcers.