If you or someone you know is living with diabetes, you may be just beginning to understand the impacts it can have on your overall health and wellbeing if it is not managed properly. In collaboration with Sole Science, The Pedorthic Association of Canada and The Canadian Diabetes Association, we have put together a guide to living with diabetes and the importance of looking after your feet, keep reading to understand what diabetes is, foot complications that can arise, daily foot care tips, the do's and don't's and the importance of regular foot exams.
What is Diabetes?
"Diabetes is a disease in which your body either can't produce insulin or can't properly use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas.
Insulin's role is to regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Blood sugar must be carefully regulated to ensure that the body functions properly. Too much blood sugar can cause damage to organs, blood vessels, and nerves. Your body also needs insulin in order to use sugar for energy.
Eleven million Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes. Chances are, diabetes affects you or someone you know." -Canadian Diabetes Association
Foot complications and diabetes
Diabetes can cause nerve damage and blood flow problems in the legs and feet. As a result, people with diabetes are at a higher risk for developing complications from minor injuries such as blisters or cuts. Nerve damage reduces sensation, making it difficult to feel when an injury has occurred. Poor blood flow makes it difficult for the body to heal small cuts or wounds. For people with diabetes, it is common for a small injury to become a serious problem if it is not treated appropriately.
Daily foot care tips
Developing a daily foot care routine is one of the best ways to prevent foot complications. The following 5 point checklist will help you get started:
General do's and dont's for foot care and diabetes
Wear well fitting shoes. They should be supportive, have low heels and be wide enough to accommodate your foot. Shoes should not rub or pinch and ideally be lined with a soft, seamless interior.
Do:
Don't
Importance of regular foot exams
It is important to see a foot care professional for regular foot exams. Regular screening assists with early detection of problems and allows for the appropriate referrals to be made. During these exams, your foot care professional will assess nerve function, blood flow, joint ranges of motion, muscular strength and overall physical state of your feet. Your foot care professional will be able to notice changes in your feet over time and make recommendations for optimizing your foot health.
Click here to book a comprehensive foot assessment and let us help you Move Well, Be Well,
Book your apppointment today
Comments will be approved before showing up.
FOOTWEAR:
European Sizing chart conversion:
*Please note that these conversion charts serve as a general guideline, actual fitting may vary by style.
Women’s |
|||||||||
US |
4.5-5 |
5.5-6 |
6.5-7 |
7.5-8 |
8.5-9 |
9.5-10 |
10.5-11 |
11.5-12 |
12.5-13 |
EU |
35 |
36 |
37 |
38 |
39 |
40 |
41 |
42 |
43 |
Men’s |
||||||||
US |
7.5-8 |
8.5-9 |
9.5-10 |
10.5-11 |
11.5-12 |
12.5-13 |
13.5-14 |
14.5-15 |
EU |
41 |
42 |
43 |
44 |
45 |
46 |
47 |
48 |
SOCKS :
Sockwell
Brooks
Sock Size |
US Men's Shoe Size |
US Women's Shoe Size |
Euro Shoe Size |
Small |
|
4 - 6.5 |
34 - 37 |
Medium |
6 - 8.5 |
7 - 9.5 |
38 - 41 |
Large |
9 - 11.5 |
10 - 12.5 |
42 - 45 |
XL |
12 - 14.5 |
|
46 - 49 |
ANKLE BRACES:
Bauerfeind
Professional Orthopedic Products (POP)
DJO - Roboboots – Short and Tall
SHOE SIZE MEN |
SHOE SIZE WOMEN |
SIZE |
Up to 4 |
Up to 5 |
XS |
4 - 7 |
5 - 8 |
S |
7 - 10 |
8 - 11 |
M |
10 - 13 |
11 - 15 |
L |
13+ |
15+ |
XL |
DJO- Aircast Airsport
DESCRIPTION |
MEN |
WOMEN |
SIZE |
Left |
Up to 5 |
Up to 5 |
X-Small |
Right |
Up to 5 |
Up to 5 |
X-Small |
Left |
5.5 - 7 |
5.5 - 8.5 |
Small |
Right |
5.5 - 7 |
5.5 - 8.5 |
Small |
Left |
7.5 - 11 |
9 - 12.5 |
Medium |
Right |
7.5 - 11 |
9 - 12.5 |
Medium |
Left |
11.5 - 13 |
13 - 14.5 |
Large |
Right |
11.5 - 13 |
13 - 14.5 |
Large |
Left |
13.5 + |
15 + |
X-Large |
Right |
13.5 + |
15 + |
X-Large |
KNEE BRACES:
Bauerfeind
Ossur
Size |
Circumference* |
*Circumference measured 6” above mid-patella |
|
XSmall |
11.5" (29cm) to 13.75" (35cm) |
Small |
13.75" (35cm) to 16" (41cm) |
Medium |
16" (41cm) to 18" (46cm) |
Large |
18" (46cm) to 20.5" (52cm) |
XLarge |
20.5" (52cm) to 22.5" (57cm) |
XXLarge |
22.5" (57cm) to 24.75" (63cm) |
XXXLarge |
24.75" (63cm) to 28.5" (72cm) |
XXXXLarge |
28.5" (72cm) to 32" (81cm) |
DJO
*Measurements taken 6” above mid-patella
SIZE |
MEASUREMENT |
XS/S |
13" - 18.5" (33 - 47 cm) |
M/L |
18.5" - 23.5" (47 - 60 cm) |
XL/XXL |
23.5" - 29.5" (60 - 75 cm) |
XXXL |
29.5" - 31" (75 - 79 cm) |
ELBOW BRACES:
Bauerfeind
HAND BRACES:
Professional Orthopedic Products (POP)
Size |
Wrist Circ. |
X-Small |
4 ¾" - 5 ½" |
Small |
5 ½" - 6 ¼" |
Medium |
6 ¼" - 7" |
Large |
7" - 7 ¾" |
X-Large |
7 ¾" - 8 ½" |
Orliman (thumb brace)
Size |
Wrist Circumference in CM (A) |
Length in CM (B) |
Small |
14 - 18 |
11 |
Large |
18 - 22 |
13 |