Earlier this year, new guidelines on footwear for people with diabetes were published. While the guidelines are aimed at health professionals working with people with diabetes, if you are living with diabetes it’s important that you know about the recommendations made within the guidelines.
Recommendations for everyone with diabetes
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Choose the right shoes. This means shoes that fit well and which protect and accommodate the shape of your feet. They should be the right length, width and depth and the toe area needs to match the shape of your forefoot and toes. Enclosed rather than open heel shoes are also recommended as these provide additional support and prevent injury to the heel area.
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Don’t forget your socks. The guidelines recommend that people with diabetes always wear socks within their footwear, to provide additional protection for the feet and reduce rubbing. Socks should be made mostly from natural materials (to avoid excess moisture), be seamless and should not have elasticised tops.
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Understand the importance of having the right footwear. The guidelines emphasise the need for all individuals with diabetes (and their family and caregivers) to be aware of the importance of having and wearing the right footwear, to help in preventing foot complications. Having regular foot checks is also essential.
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Obtain footwear from a trained professional. They can help you to choose the right shoes to fit and accommodate your feet. This is particularly important for those with loss of feeling in their feet, as this can make it more difficult to choose shoes that fit well.
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Wear the right footwear at all times. This includes indoors as well as outdoors, so that the feet are always protected and supported.
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Always check your shoes before wearing them. This is important to ensure there are no foreign objects inside which could damage your feet.
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Always check your feet after wearing shoes. Check to make sure there are no signs of pressure or trauma each time you wear any footwear.
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Consider medical grade footwear. If you have a foot deformity, regular off-the-shelf shoes are unlikely to fit and protect the feet properly and you may need special footwear. Prescribed by a trained professional, these can be made to accommodate any foot problems you might have and to reduce pressure in certain areas.
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Review your prescribed footwear regularly. Both your feet and your footwear can change shape over time so the guidelines recommend that any footwear you are prescribed (including custom-made orthoses or insoles) should be reviewed every three months to ensure they still fit, protect and support the feet.
These new guidelines can help you and your healthcare team to choose the right footwear for your individual needs.
Remember to always seek advice from your medical practitioner before changing anything about your diabetes management. The above information is NOT medical advice.
