subject: Diabetic Foot Care- Custom Orthotics And Shoes For Optimal Comfort [print this page] Approximately 15.7 million people have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes causes a condition of painful nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy can affect your entire body, but most often the legs and feet are the body's most prone areas to serious health problems. Damage to the nerves can cause the loss of feeling in your feet, making it difficult to detect extreme temperatures and pain as easily or readily as someone who does not have diabetes. When a person is unable to detect a foot wound it can easily become infected, leading to more serious complications and even amputation in the most severe cases. Understanding the connection between foot care and diabetes is important to avoid more serious health problems.
Inspect Your Feet Regularly
If you have diabetes, it's crucial to examine your feet every day and after every injury, regardless of how minor you may think the injury is. If you notice redness, swelling, persistent pain, numbness, tingling or any other unusual signs on any part of your foot, call your podiatrist in Sycamore immediately as this could signify serious health problems.
It's also recommended that people with diabetes see a podiatrist for annual checkups. A professional podiatrist in Sycamore can detect signs of changes, broken skin or ulcers that can be detrimental to the health of your feet and body. He can also check your blood circulation, identify loss of sensation or detect areas of high pressure- all of which require professional medical attention.
Diabetic Shoes for Added Protection
Shoes for diabetic patients are made of special protective inserts and soft shoe materials to accommodate for conditions such as neuropathy (numb feet), poor circulation, and foot deformities (bunions, hammertoes, etc.). These shoes help to decrease the chance of foot sores (ulcers) which can be caused by friction and pressure from poor fitting shoes. Friction and pressure may lead to infection, gangrene, or even amputation. Your podiatrist in San Mateo may measure your foot in order to have the shoes made at a specialty laboratory to assure a proper fit.
Provide Comfort and Protection with Custom Orthotics
Orthotics, also known as orthoses, refers to any device inserted into a shoe, ranging from felt pads to custom-made shoe inserts that correct an abnormal or irregular walking pattern. They allow people to stand, walk, and run more efficiently and comfortably. While over-the-counter orthotics are available and may help mild symptoms, they normally cannot correct the wide range of symptoms that prescription foot orthotics can since they are not custom made to fit an individual's unique foot structure. Orthotics can come in many shapes, sizes and materials. They fall into three main categories: those designed to change foot function, those that are primarily protective in nature, and those that combine functional control and protection.
Diabetes is serious, especially when it comes to your feet. If you have diabetes, talk with your podiatrist in San Mateo, CA about what you can do now to keep your feet safe, strong, and healthy.
