Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects over 16 million people in the United States alone with almost 800,000 new cases diagnosed every year. About 60-70 percent of people with diabetes have some form of diabetic nerve damage called neuropathy. When neuropathy affects the peripheral sensory nerves, as it commonly does, it can cause loss of feeling in the feet. Once some feeling is lost, the patient is at risk for developing ulcers & pressure sores. Since diabetes also contributes to decreased blood circulation in the feet, these ulcers are often slow to heal. If an ulcer gets infected, as it well could since diabetes compromises a body's ability to fight infection, and the infection reaches bone, it could lead to an amputation of a toe, a foot, or even a leg. Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations year-in and year-out in the U.S. with 86,000 performed annually, accounting for over half of all lower extremity amputations. The sad, but encouraging truth is that most of these amputations are preventable.

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Diabete's effects on circulation (ischemia) and nerve endings (neuropathy) cause diabetic patients to become susceptible to risky conditions involving the extremities. Most often, these occur in the feet. Shoes can contribute to, and even cause some of these conditions, so diabetic footwear has been developed with certain characteristics that help avoid, treat or accommodate, and lessen the risk factors. Diabetic patients should look for these characteristics when selecting footwear:

SOLES should be constructed of soft, flexible, long-wearing materials such as crepe or urethane. Shoes should flex under the ball of the foot, not in the middle at the arch area. UPPERS  Shoe uppers should be constructed of soft, flexible material, such as a supple leather or mesh. The uppers must breathe, form to you feet, and be moldable to accommodate any deformities. INSOLES  Shoe insoles must be removable to allow for cleaning and replacement when necessary. Removable insoles also accommodate greater versatility in modifying the shoe's interior. ADDED DEPTH  An extra-depth shoe is roomier inside the toe box, the instep and arch, and around the heel. This extra room allows for proper fit following necessary modifications. FIT Because proper fit is absolutely critical for diabetics, always let a qualified, experienced shoe fitter, such as a pedorthist, help with your selection. The best shoe in the world isn't worth a dime if it doesn't fit. Shoe Recommendations: Be sure to choose footwear with plenty of room! Running: 1123, 992, 882, WR768, 587. Walking: 926, WW844, 811, 659. Cross-Training: 855. Court: 803 Dunham: 8000. Insole Recommendations: Pressure Relief Insole: IPR3010