A common complication in people with diabetes is foot ulcers. Diabetic foot syndrome is a complex disease in which polyneuropathy, infection, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and foot deformity are some of the leading factors for diabetic foot ulceration. Risk factors for re-ulceration include elevated body mass index (BMI), severe neuropathy, limited joint mobility (LJM), previous amputation, previous ulcers, metatarsal head bone prominences, claw and hammer toes, hallux valgus and rigidus, structural and functional equines, and Charcot's foot and altered gait.
The aforementioned factors will not result in foot ulceration apart from an external trauma or pressure. External trauma is classed as repetitive pressure causing continuous stress, such as walking, pressure from poorly fitted footwear or a short duration of a period of high pressure, such as standing on an object, which results in tissue damage. Approximately 80% of ulcers involve some trauma, and many ulcers are related to ill-fitting footwear.
Ideal features of a shoe for the diabetic foot:
- Leather & other Breathable Fabrics for upper/lining.
- Roomy & Wide Toe-box (no crowding of toes within the footwear).
- Extra-depth for an orthotic option.
- Lace or Velcro for proper fastening.
- Minimise friction and uneven weight distribution.
- Rigid outer sole (Rubber or EVA moulded sole).
- Firm Heel Counter
- Removable foot beds
- Flexible insoles/diabetic friendly Inners.
- No interior seams that may cause friction
- Lower heel height
Ideal shoes for diabetes from Comfort and fit range:
- Propet: Wped-6, Olivia
- Finn comfort Finnamic Range: Pretoria, Watford, etc.
- Schein Classic/Kinetic Shoes: Sven, Achim
- PWM Shoes: Leisure Time, Leisure Time DX2, Leisure, Leisure DX2, Performance Walkers, Pleasure DX2, Natural DX2, Velvet,
- Orthofeet athletic range: Sprint, Verve
- DB: Rowena, Carloline-2, Eunice-2, Joseph, Daniel,
- Apis: 608, 618, 708, 718, 9214
- Pulman