Customized Insoles

Diabetic insoles

More and more Indians are being diagnosed with diabetes as a result of unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles. According to the International Diabetes Federation, India currently has 50 million diabetics. And due to lack of awareness, almost 50000 diabetics undergo diabetic foot amputation every year.

Doctors say that nearly 70% of all diabetics eventually suffer from peripheral neuropathy – nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system, caused by high blood sugar. Longstanding high blood sugar can damage blood vessels, decreasing blood flow to the foot. This poor circulation can weaken the skin, contribute to the formation of ulcers, and impair wound healing. Some bacteria and fungi thrive on high levels of sugar in the bloodstream, and bacterial and fungal infections can break down the skin and complicate ulcers.

High blood sugar also interfered with the ability of nerve cells to transmit signals efficiently to the brain. This results in numbness, loss of sensation in the feet, loss of proprioception.

Poor blood circulation to the foot can lead to a significant amount of increase in the time taken for a wound to heal. This may also cause a wound to spread. A non-healing wound may require amputation of a toe, foot or even part of the leg.

This makes it extremely important for diabetics to take care of their feet on a daily basis. There should be a two pronged approach here: daily foot care and diabetic orthotic insoles. Diabetic orthotic insoles are insoles that offload high pressure points on the soles of your feet. When you lose foot sensation, you cannot feel if you are putting unduly high pressure at particular points on the soles of your feet when you walk. When certain areas of the feet come under excessive pressure for a prolonged period of time, the foot can develop calluses or wounds or ulcers that may take a very long time to heal, or may not heal at all, eventually needing an amputation.

If a doctor has ever said you had an elevated blood sugar level — even just once when you were pregnant — you are at risk for diabetes. Nervous system impairment (neuropathy) is a major complication that may cause you to lose feeling in your feet or hands. This means you won’t know right away if you hurt yourself. The problem affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes.Foot problems are a big risk. All people with diabetes should monitor their feet. If you don’t, the consequences can be severe, including amputation.

Proper footwear is an important part of an overall treatment program for people with diabetes, even for those in the earliest stages of the disease. If there is any evidence of neuropathy, or lack of sensation, wearing the right footwear is crucial. By working with a physician and a footwear professional, many patients can prevent serious diabetic foot complications.