Diabetic Shoe and Brace Center

In the United States there are over 29 million people who have been diagnosed with diabetes, and at least another 9 million people who are undiagnosed. All diabetics are at risk for injury to their feet. Poorly controlled blood sugar can damage many parts of the body, including the nerves and vessels that go to the feet. Because of this, people with diabetes have an increased risk of developing foot problems. Wearing specially designed shoes can help reduce risk and promote healthy circulation in your feet.

Most commonly, ill-fitting shoes produce irritation, redness, and blisters which lead to ulceration, infection, and amputation. Loss of sensation or partial loss results in a quicker progression of these problems. Once you lose one toe, your quality of life changes drastically.

At North Jersey Podiatry, our office is a registered and approved center to distribute Medicare Approved diabetic shoes, braces, and orthotics.

A diabetic shoe is sometimes referred to as extra depth, therapeutic shoes, or orthopedic. They are specially designed shoes, or shoe inserts intended to reduce the risk of skin breakdown in diabetics with pre-existing foot disease. The shoes must also be equipped with a removable orthosis.

Medicare’s intent is to reduce the incidence of diabetic foot complications and help people maintain an active lifestyle. Diabetic shoes, inserts, and/or modifications to the shoes are covered if the patient has diabetes mellitus and if the patient has one or more of the following conditions:

• History of partial or complete amputation of the foot
• History of previous foot ulceration
• History of pre-ulcerative callus
• Peripheral neuropathy with evidence of callus formation
• Foot deformity
• Poor circulation

For each individual, coverage provides for one pair of extra depth shoes and three pairs of inserts annually. Medicare will pay 80% of the eligible cost. Secondary insurance may completely cover the remaining cost.

Poor-fitting shoes will only exacerbate any foot-related conditions and foot pain that currently exist. Diabetic patients who have ulcers, blisters, or other serious infection are in need of proper footwear or else these wounds can become infected and possibly lethal.

Whether for healing a diabetic wound, postoperative care or daily activities, we offer diabetic dress shoes, work shoes, boots, and other footwear to help diabetics live a full and active life.

Diabetic shoes we offer are the following: Propet, Dr. Comfort, Vionics, Apex, and New Balance.

For those patients requiring specialized bracing like the Richie brace, the Arizona Brace, or a custom orthotic, our staff utilizes the advanced casting technique recognized worldwide for it superiority- STS casting material. The no mess no fuss casting.

At North Jersey Podiatry, we are experts on identifying and fitting you with a shoe that fits your needs. Dr. Paul Klein has vast experience in this area of fitting having been an Athlete’s Foot Store manager in 1977. Trained in orthotics and bracing at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine from 1977-1981, Dr. Klein has fitted many New York City marathoners and diabetics in the New York area. Dr. Klein maintains a small in-office lab for orthotic and shoe adjustments to minimize patients’ waiting time when their shoe or brace requires an adjustment.

If you are interested in learning more about diabetic shoes or you want to schedule an appoint to be fitted for a pair of diabetic shoes Dr. Paul Klein, please contact us or call (973) 595-1555.