Diabetic patients should choose their shoes carefully because their feet are often in poor shape. Different types of special shoes are offered, including diabetic walking shoes and diabetic house shoes (extra wide slippers).
Choose a pair of shoes that offers protection against scrapes, bumps, and injuries. Avoid high heels and go for shoes that are wide in the toes. You should get a pair of walking shoes because physical exercise is very important for diabetics. Exercise helps to control blood sugar levels and improves insulin sensitivity. Go for a pair of wide sports shoes that are comfortable on the foot. Wide shoes are a good choice for misshapen and wide feet. There are dress and formal shoes for diabetic patients, but they are more expensive. Go for a pair that allows more room for deformities and custom inserts and facilitates blood circulation.
Diabetic shoes are also known as therapeutic or extra depth shoes. They are designed to lower the risk for skin breakdown and ulcers. The goal of diabetic footwear is to prevent foot problems and complications such as calluses, ulcers, strains, and amputations. Therapeutic shoes come with orthotics such as shoe fillers, arch supports, and shoe inserts that help patients to avoid injuries.