By JOHN E. SHERO
Published: 16 December 2011 10:04 AM
Diabetes is a serious disease that has a significant impact on many parts of the body and the feet are no exception. There is a serious risk of amputation due to the underlying neurological and circulatory issues created by diabetes.
Many diabetics are unaware or don’t understand the benefits of a proper diabetic shoe. These shoes can assist in relieving pressure and mitigating some of the risks.
Diabetic shoes are designed with extra depth and width to create more room for the foot and customized insoles for pressure reduction. A good diabetic shoe is also manufactured to be flexible while maintaining integrity of the shoe to provide energy-efficient propulsion.
There are many styles and designs of diabetic shoes. Medicare approves certain shoes through its product review department so it is always a good idea to ask if the diabetic shoe you are receiving is Medicare approved.
Shoe styles include leather dress, leather athletic, mesh athletic, Lycra dress, and many others.
A practitioner may also make certain adjustments on the shoes and insoles to correct other conditions such as length discrepancies or specific areas of pressure. Most diabetic shoes are delivered with multiple sets of removable inserts to provide support and pressure relief.
In order for Medicare and most insurance companies to pay for a pair of diabetic shoes, inserts and accommodations, your physician must certify that you meet one or more of the qualifying conditions. The qualifying conditions include a previous amputation of the other foot, or part of either foot, a history of previous foot ulceration of either foot, a history of pre-ulcerative calluses of either foot, a peripheral neuropathy with evidence of callus formation of either foot, deformity of either […]
