Top Benefits of Diabetic Shoes for Better Foot Health

Generally speaking, shoes are about more than just style - they protect our feet and help us move comfortably through the day. However, for people with diabetes, the advantages of shoes, specifically the benefits of diabetic shoes, are an important part of a diabetes management plan.

When you have diabetes, long-term complications like peripheral neuropathy - a condition that damages the nerves and reduces sensation in the feet - can literally change the structure and function of your feet. This often leads to concentrated pressure in areas like the heel, forefoot, and big toe. Without proper footwear, these pressure points increase the risk of foot ulcers and other complications. Diabetic shoes are specifically designed to address these challenges, offering the protection and support needed to keep your feet healthy [1].

Read on to discover all the benefits of diabetic shoes and how they support your diabetic foot care and overall diabetic health plan.

Introduction to diabetic shoes

Diabetic shoes are specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of people living with this common condition. 

“People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing foot-related complications due to factors such as reduced circulation, nerve damage (neuropathy), and a decreased ability to heal wounds,” says Podiatrist Dr. Steven Gershman. “These shoes play a crucial role in decreasing the risk of a diabetic foot ulcer and, consequently, lowering the likelihood of an amputation. They are constructed to offer both support and protection to the feet while effectively minimizing pressure points.”

Key benefits of diabetic shoes

Dr. Gershman breaks it down: “The big difference between a regular shoe and diabetic shoes is their unique construction, which focuses on comfort and optimal foot health for people with diabetes.”

Here are some of the main benefits of diabetic shoes, highlighting the importance of wearing proper footwear.

Enhanced comfort and support

One of the features that makes diabetic shoes special is their protective interior, made from soft, cushioned materials and free of overlays or stitching that could irritate the skin. The design relieves pressure on sensitive areas like the toes, sides of the foot, and back of the heel, ensuring optimal comfort for sensitive feet. This specialized construction promotes better diabetic foot health and reduces the risk of foot-related issues.

Good diabetic shoes are also typically designed with lightweight, multi-layered cushioned soles that help minimize the pressure on your feet, knees, and lower back by absorbing most of the impact as you walk. This helps prevent stress on diabetic feet, which are more susceptible to stress and foot injury due to this condition.

With orthotic insoles and proper arch support, diabetic footwear gently supports the arch, correcting your stride and aligning your feet with the rest of the body. This helps ease foot pain in general, especially from common foot problems like flat feet.

Many diabetics will also benefit from a diabetic shoe that offers adjustable closures, such as Velcro straps and stretchable upper materials. These features accommodate swelling and adjust the fit to your unique foot shape, making it feel like you're wearing a custom shoe and providing extra stability.

Reducing the risk of foot injuries

Diabetic shoes help protect against common foot injuries like cuts, abrasions, and punctures—issues that can sometimes go unnoticed when the feet develop nerve damage (neuropathy), which is common among diabetics.

Therapeutic footwear for diabetics has been found to significantly reduce high pressure on the soles of the feet, both when standing and walking. These therapeutic shoes have been shown to be more effective than regular footwear in preventing injuries linked to diabetic foot [2].

In addition, the extra room that’s typically provided in these shoes helps prevent the worsening of foot problems, such as hammertoes or bunions. The extra depth shoe design also leaves enough room for the use of orthotic diabetic inserts, and the spacious toe box lets the toes splay naturally and move freely without feeling cramped or uncomfortable.

Promoting better circulation

This might surprise you, but diabetic shoes also help improve circulation. And since poor blood circulation is a common complication of diabetes that can lead to limb amputation, these shoes can make your life a lot easier and less risky.

How exactly do these shoes help your circulation and reduce the risk of amputation? It’s the result of two design features (one of which we already mentioned earlier): a proper fit, thanks to adjustable closures, and breathable upper materials. Together, these features help keep the blood flowing smoothly, keep the feet well aerated to prevent any infections or irritation, minimize swelling and discomfort in the feet, and maximize blood flow.

Some styles even have stretchable uppers that adjust to the shape of your foot, helping to avoid pressurizing the feet and disrupting circulation, giving you the feel of custom shoes.

How diabetic shoes help prevent common foot problems

One of the many benefits of diabetic shoes is their ability to reduce the risk of developing diabetes-related foot issues, which is why they are often an integral part of a comprehensive diabetic foot care plan.

Preventing foot ulcers

The design and construction of diabetic footwear include simple yet very clever features that help prevent foot ulcers. By reducing friction and pressure on areas most prone to foot ulceration, like the bottom of the foot, these special shoes do an excellent job of protecting the sensitive skin that many diabetics are all too familiar with.

This is done with cushioned insoles for extra padding and a soft, seam-free interior that prevents rubbing - both of which help keep pressure off areas more vulnerable to sores. When you add the right fit into the mix, you get a shoe that helps keep sensitive feet protected all day long, reducing the risk of developing ulcers.

Avoiding blisters and calluses

When it comes to preventing blisters and calluses in a diabetic patient, the right fit and appropriate footwear is everything. Diabetic shoes are made with seamless designs and soft materials that minimize friction, which is a common cause of blisters. 

The main goal of the seamless interior design is to prevent any rubbing on the feet, as keeping your feet well-protected means fewer risks not only for blisters and calluses but also for further diabetic foot complications like infections, which can be a big concern for diabetic patients.