For over 25 years Pedors Shoes has designed and manufactured shoes for problem feet. Our goal is to get our customers back on their feet again with affordable, quality footwear that addresses their specific needs. We’re here to help. Your footwear problems are our challenges.
If you have diabetes, finding diabetic shoes that fit you correctly is really important on many levels.
You’re probably already aware you have to be particularly careful in looking after your feet. You should habitually examine your feet every day to make sure there are no cuts, blisters, sores or open wounds.
If you do discover an issue, it needs to be addressed immediately. People with diabetes usually have nerve damage in their feet that limits their ability to feel something may be wrong. The loss of sensitivity caused by damaged nerves, medically termed neuropathy, or specifically in the extremities of hands and feet as peripheral neuropathy, means that something as small as a small pebble or a stone in your shoe, if left unnoticed, can break the skin. If the skin is left untreated, it can get infected and lead to serious complications as individuals with Diabetes have trouble repairing even minor cuts.
The shoe has to fit right and be made in such a way to limit the shoe itself from causing harm to the foot. With the right footwear you can take the first step to managing your Diabetes on a daily basis.
Why is the right fit so important when evaluating womens diabetic shoes?
A shoe must fit correctly to minimize the risk of anything causing harm to the foot. This could be something as simple as heel slippage for example if the shoe is too long which may cause a blister in the heel. Another example might be that an internal seam in the shoe rubs the top of the foot. Or the shoe is too short and the toe is hitting the end of the shoe. Or there’s not enough room in the toe box to accommodate an overlapping toe. Or maybe there’s a bunion that’s hitting the side of the shoe causing pressure that could harm the skin. If the shoe is not fitted correctly and the foot slides in the shoe then the shear forces on the sole of the foot can cause callussing. So as you can see, there are many ways where any pressure on a diabetic foot can cause issues.
A diabetic insert is designed to function as an accommodative device whereas an orthotic is designed to function as a biomechanical device. They are used for different reasons and to address different issues.
An diabetic accommodative insert helps to minimize pressure points on the bottom of the foot that cause calluses by molding to the bottom of the foot and by doing so evenly distributes the weight bearing across the whole foot. Think of the bottom of the foot sinking into a foam bed so it’s cradled comfortably.
A biomechanical orthotic is designed to give more structural support to the foot and in some instances to redistribute weight bearing. An orthotic is fitted to treat heel pain or plantar fasciitis by giving the arch additional support. An orthotic is fitted to treat ball of foot pain or metatarsalgia by fitting a metatarsal pad to redistribute the weight bearing away from the metatarsal heads.
In most instances, Diabetics benefit more from wearing an accommodative insert rather than a biomechanical orthotic.
There are multiple factors that can potentially contribute to the diabetic foot being compromised. Because it is much harder for a diabetic foot to heal by itself than it is for a non-diabetic foot for example, every effort must be made to ensure that the diabetic foot is protected as much as possible.
This includes wearing your shoes and inserts at all times. One often overlooked fact is that a “naked” foot is much more prone to injury than one with a shoe being worn. A shoeless foot stepping onto a piece of glass, or a nail or even a small stone can break the skin.
Great diabetic inserts in a non-diabetic friendly shoe work about as well as a really well-designed diabetic shoe without diabetic inserts.
By wearing appropriate diabetic shoes in conjunction with diabetic inserts you can reduce the risk of injury considerably.
Pedors makes two different diabetic shoe inserts. Our bilaminate “2P” insert consists of two different layers of medical grade foam. Our trilaminate “3P” insert consists of three different layers of medical grade foam. All of these foam’s names start with the letter “P”.
Our 2P insert consists of a base layer of polyurethane or “PU” that gives the insert some support and structure in the part that’s closest to the bottom of the inside of the shoe. The top layer is a polyethylene foam or “PE” that molds to the bottom or “plantar surface” of the foot. The 2P insert is shaped specifically for our diabetic Mary Jane last and can be worn in other women’s diabetic shoes that are extra-depth.
Our 3P insert also has a base layer of PU for support and structure. The 3P insert also has a middle layer of Poron which gives the insert some additional cushioning and a top layer of PE that molds to the bottom of the foot. The 3P insert is shaped specifically for our Classic line last.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicade Services (CMS) provides coverage for diabetic shoes and inserts each year for diabetics that are eligible and meet certain coverage requirements.
More information can be found here
It’s highly recommended that if at all possible you should seek professional assistance and be fitted for your diabetic shoes and inserts.
www.letswalk.com is a directory of foot health care professionals who are qualified and familiar with the challenges of fitting patients with diabetes. Some providers are qualified to fit shoes and inserts under Medicare’s Therapeutic Footwear for Persons with Diabetes program. Call for an appointment and ask if your local provider accepts your insurance should you meet the criteria for coverage.
When choosing footwear for diabetes it’s about all about making sure that you get shoes and inserts that fit properly. Living with diabetes presents so many challenges and managing your foot health should be a priority. Inspect your feet every day. If you can manage to keep your feet healthy and stay mobile you can greatly improve your overall health and manage your diabetes.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email us at support@pedors.com or call 1-800-750-6729 if in the USA or +1 770 218 8282 if outside the USA.