subject: What you must learn about wide shoes [print this page] What you must learn about wide shoes What you must learn about wide shoes
If you have diabetes, there were lots of changes required in your life. Including changing your old shoes with wide shoes that provide breathability, comfort and perfect fit so your feet are safe from the most dangerous problems diabetes patients must deal with; poor circulation and numbness and slow or poor healing of wounds.
Getting the proper footwear is important due to something called peripheral neuropathy, which means that you suffer a loss of sensation in your extremities, leaving you vulnerable to ulcers, injury, infection and worst of all possible medical amputation. Properly fitted wide shoes are the first step in the right direction for preventing this kind of tragic outcome.
What you need to consider when looking for wide shoes:
Flexibility, comfort, breathability and seamless smooth interior are the first things . Diabetic wide shoes usually use canvas, mesh and also other materials that allow sufficient air to circulate inside your footwear and around your feet, preventing sweating, fungal infections, ulcers and poor hygiene.
Ensure there's enough room within the toe box of the shoes to permit you to wriggle your toes. There should be no any excessive pressure or binding/chaffing around the arch of your foot or the heel, any part of your foot in fact. In addition, a wide shoe that's so loose that it slips around isn't good either, because of the friction of a loose shoe does as much damage as a shoe that pinches or binds.
Most desirable are wide shoes that allow fast and simple adjustment of fit (usually via straps or other closures) and enough interior room for your various inserts and supports you'll need during the day. Being able to change into an alternative pair of wide shoes midday will make a tremendous improvement in your comfort and the health of your feet because weight distribution and pressure points will shift a little, offering relief. Having the ability to refresh your feet during a long day can make a significant difference!
Look too for quality in workmanship. Seems, knots,interior bumps and other dangers will cancel out the positive benefit of buying wide shoes to start with.
When you go shopping for your wide shoes, go in the evening when your feet are biggest, and bring the leggings or socks that you'll be wearing with them. Don't rush and walk around for a while to be sure you don't notice any areas that might bind or pinch, chaff or slip. Feel the toes of your wide shoes while you're wearing them, you should be able to find about a half inch of extra room between your toes and the wall of the shoe.
Do not forget that the ample air movement around your foot when wearing wide shoes will allow for better blood circulation and drier skin, both of which are very important to maintaining good sensation, healthy nerve endings and robust skin impervious to infection.
In combination with wide shoes, diligent foot care (cleaning, nail trimming and wound checks/care) are essential as part of your daily routine. If you've got any questions or notice changes in your feet, be sure to consult your physician right away.
