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If you or someone you know has diabetes, a common side effect of the disease is peripheral neuropathy, which causes loss of sensation in your extremities, such as your hands and feet. Ill-fitting shoes which rub or pinch the feet excessively can lead to blisters and other foot injuries, because the diabetic does not feel the injury until it is too late. We've witnessed many people having to get a toe, a foot, and even a leg amputated because of complications of diabetes. Properly fitted diabetic shoes are very important in preventing many foot related injuries. Companies specializing in pedorthics the design of footwear and specialty insoles to help alleviate and/or prevent foot pain and injury manufacture special shoes and insoles for diabetics. Diabetic shoes are often wider and deeper than regular shoes, to make room for special diabetic insoles. The insoles for diabetics are generally custom made for the patient?s feet, to ensure proper fit and minimize rubbing and uneven weight distribution, preventing injury. It is also important for a diabetic to have shoes with good air circulation, meaning a lot of diabetic footwear features fabric or sandal-style uppers.

It is very important for a diabetic to have their shoes custom fitted by a trained professional, since they may not be able to feel an improper fit, due to peripheral neuropathy. By ensuring proper fit and good air circulation, properly designed diabetic shoes and insoles prevent pressure ulcers, encourage good blood circulation, and allow the skin to breathe.Some things to look for in good shoe designs for diabetics are:

• Diabetic Shoes need to have a breathable construction sandals and fabric shoes are good for this.
• Deep and wide designs that allow room for custom pedorthic insoles.
• Designs with no interior seams (or covered seams) to prevent
  rubbing injuries
• Diabetic Shoes need a roomy toe area to prevent pinching or squeezing of the toes.
• Elastic or easily adjustable fit, to prevent the
  diabetic shoe from sliding around on the feet.

Some diabetic shoe insoles are body heat activated and they mold to your feet when you put the shoes on. For a more custom fit, a more reliable method is to have your feet imprinted. 

First a podiatrist or other quailed medical personell will take a gait analysis and clinical assessment of your foot, the procedure takes only a few minutes. Ideal weight bearing flow is established and controlled by your doctor  to ensure that proper plantar contour is achieved, which will eventually be duplicated in your finished pair of shoes.

(Courtesy of SmithersOasis)

For Podiatrists and other foot specialists

Step 1
Align patient's body properly. Establish right (90 degree) angle at hip, knee and ankle. Observe feet to ensure proper neutral positioning.

Step 2
See that ankle is neither supinated or pronated.

Step 3
Hold ankle in neutral position by supporting the talus to prevent pronation when impression is made. Instruct patient to apply no pressure. Place free hand on patient?s knee and press down, pushing the foot 1? to 1-1/2" into foam. Simultaneously, apply pressure to lateral aspect of foot with other hand.

Step 4
Finish impression by pressing in the toes with both hands. Thus, weight bearing flow is simulated ? heel to mid foot to toes while foot is maintained in proper neutral position.

Step 5
Inspect each impression for defects or an uneven nature of the weight bearing surface or abnormal plantar contour. Repeat procedure with patient's other foot. Complete prescription/order form and forward convenient mailing box to lab.