Shoes And Neuropathy

Today's post from Dr John Hayes' neuropathydr.com (see link below) talks in more detail about the importance of finding the right footware if you have neuropathy. It may seem patently obvious if you have pain in your feet and legs, that you wear the best shoes possible to bring the most relief. However, many people either ignore doctors' advice, or don't receive it and this can certainly make your problems worse. After all, your feet have to carry you around for the rest of your life! This article gives some very useful tips and advice.
 

Peripheral Neuropathy and Foot Wear –Your Shoes Could Be Killing You
Posted by john on September 11, 2011

Have you been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy?

If you have peripheral neuropathy in your feet, choosing the right shoes is vitally important.

Do you have peripheral neuropathy in your feet and/or legs?

Has your doctor told you how important it is to take proper care of your feet?

Now, for the $25,000 bonus question…

Are you doing what your doctor tells you to do?

Many patients with peripheral neuropathy don’t take proper care of their feet and don’t follow their doctors’ instructions on foot care.

If you have peripheral neuropathy in your feet, not following your doctor’s instructions about the type of shoes you should wear and how to care for your feet can lead to amputation…

Ultimately, it could cost your life.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re not listening to your doctor and doing everything he tells you to do to care for your feet, you’re not the only one.[1]

A recent study that followed 41 patients with type 2 diabetes found that
90% of the patients had been educated about proper footwear
83% washed and dried their feet properly every day
51% actually foot self-exams recommended by their doctors

But more than half the patients admitted that they walked around the house and even outside with no shoes. And more than two thirds of them were not wearing appropriate footwear. They were wearing shoes with pointed toes, high heels or flip flops, and even worse.

Finding the Right Shoes

If you have peripheral neuropathy in your feet, choosing the right shoes is vitally important. Here are some tips to help you know what to look for and what to avoid when you’re buying shoes: 

Never wear shoes with pointed toes.
Avoid shoes with a really flat sole or high heels. Neither of these styles allow for even distribution of foot pressure.
Buy shoes with soft insoles.
Never buy plastic or synthetic materials that don’t allow your feet to breathe.
Only wear shoes made of leather, suede or canvas that allow air to circulate around your feet and help them stay dry.
Avoid slip ons – buy shoes with laces and buckles that allow you to adjust how tight your shoes are.
Ask for professional assistance in getting the proper fit in every pair of shoes you buy.
Proper shoes don’t have to look like something your grandmother would wear. You can buy stylish shoes that won’t land you in the hospital.

Remember that neuropathy is nerve damage. That means that the nerves in your feet are not functioning properly and you may not feel a problem until it’s too late and you have sores, blisters or ulcers. Those can be deadly.

See Your Doctor Regularly

Ultimately, you need to see your doctor regularly[2]. Find a doctor who specializes in treating patients with neuropathy, like your local NeuropathyDR® clinician. They can help you choose proper footwear and take care of your feet on a routine basis and stop any problems before they’re severe. By seeing your doctor regularly and staying on top of any issues you may have, you can reduce your risk of amputation by between 20% and 70%.

For more information on diagnoses, treatment and coping with peripheral neuropathy in your feet, get your Free E-Book and subscription to the Weekly Ezine “Beating Neuropathy” at http://neuropathydr.com.

[1] http://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/caring-feet?

[2] http://http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm

http://neuropathydr.com/peripheral-neuropathy-and-foot-wear-your-shoes-could-be-killing-you/