Are you eligible for diabetic shoes?

DIABETIC SHOES, ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?

Are you a diabetic? Do you wear diabetic shoes?  Diabetic patients are prone to having foot issues due to several diabetes related conditions.  These conditions include Peripheral Neuropathy, which causes a loss of sensation in the feet, and Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD), which affects the circulation to the feet.  Hammertoes, calluses, ulcers, and fungal toenails are also very common in diabetic patients.   Here, at Gulf South Foot & Ankle, we custom fit our patients for diabetic shoes to help alleviate some of the foot conditions that diabetic patients encounter.  Diabetic Shoes are generally made extra wide and extra deep to prevent rubbing which can cause ulcerations to the diabetic foot. Many people believe that diabetic shoes are unattractive and overly large, but these days the diabetic shoe comes in a variety of fashionable styles and brands such as; New Balance, P.W. Minor, Aravon, Dunham, OrthoFeet, Propet, and Hush Puppies.

If a patient is eligible for diabetic shoes, they must meet directly with the doctor to discuss their personal needs as well as have images of their feet taken to ensure each need is met and a proper fit is established.  The patient will then meet with the podiatrist two weeks after receiving their diabetic shoes.  At this appointment, the podiatrist will re-evaluate the patient’s feet and shoes to ensure a desirable fit free from any pressure points.

Did you know that diabetic shoes are covered under most insurance plans?  In fact, most insurance plans will cover one pair of diabetic shoes, which include three pairs of custom molded insoles,  each year and all diabetic shoes include a 30 day warranty.

Here at Gulf South Foot and Ankle, it is our goal to ensure that all of our patients are cared for to the best of our ability.  With this goal in mind, we offer a Diabetic Program, in which we personally contact each patient when they are eligible for a new pair of shoes.

In closing, we want to help you in obtaining a pair of diabetic shoes.   Call our office today and we will gladly contact your insurance company to determine whether or not you are eligible for a pair of diabetic shoes.