Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes. Neuropathy commonly occurs in your legs and feet, but high blood sugar can also injure nerve fibers throughout the rest of your body.

Depending on the affected nerves, symptoms of diabetic neuropathy can range from pain and numbness in your extremities to problems with your digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels, and heart. For some people, symptoms are mild; for others, diabetic neuropathy can be severe or even fatal.

• Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or changes in temperature, especially in your feet and toes

• A tingling or burning feeling

• Sharp, jabbing pain that may be worse at night

• Extreme sensitivity to touch

• Muscle weakness

• Loss of reflex response

• Serious foot problems, such as ulcers, infections, deformities, and bone and joint pain

from Schuler Shoes' Board Certified Pedorthist

This is not a medical diagnosis but a footwear recommendation to relieve symptoms. It's meant to supplement your doctor's treatment plan. 

Shoes with extra-depth toe boxes, removable footbeds, and seamless or nonbinding construction can offer comfort and protection to patients with neuropathy. Usually, your doctor will also prescribe a custom orthotic to support your foot and protect it from ulceration.

If you have diabetes, you should already be under the care of a physician who’s monitoring the advancement of your condition. If you notice any symptoms of neuropathy, speak with your doctor immediately. Symptoms like foot ulceration can be severe and can lead to amputation in as little as 48 hours from onset. While diabetic neuropathy is a common, serious complication of diabetes, you can often prevent it or slow its progress by keeping blood sugar in check and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Wearing the right footwear can help you manage your condition. At Schuler Shoes, our knowledgeable board-certified pedorthists (CPeds) act as extensions of your provider’s care, offering tailored solutions and ensuring your perfect fit.

References: Mayo Clinic