For our patients diagnosed with diabetes, we understand that having too much sugar or glucose levels in their blood can lead to a variety of serious and potentially long-term complications.  Leaving a situation uncontrolled can pose a risk to vital organs in the body, including the heart and surrounding blood vessels, nerves, teeth and gums, kidneys, eyes and feet.  The lower limbs carry a higher risk factor due to the blood flow required and the length at which it needs to travel through the veins. In this posting, we want to specifically look at nerve damage, foot ulcers and blisters, and the role that proper shoes and inserts can play in reducing those serious risk.  It’s our mission at Walk Again to provide our patients with the necessary information and support to help prevent the above complications that can occur with our diabetic patients.  Below we’ll address the first steps you can take to ensure that your feet are cared for properly. 

There are many important habits to develop for maintain healthy feet.  By washing your feet everyday with a mild soap, wearing socks made for diabetics and wearing shoes featuring an orthotic design, you’ll be on the right track to make significant strides in your health.  At Walk Again, we also recommend setting regular appointments with your orthotic and prosthetics doctor for a checkup on your feet. 

Look out for our next blog post, which will highlight more tips for healthy and happy feet.  

In our last blog post, we talked about the first steps to maintaining healthy feet and preventing complications that can arise from ill-fitting footwear and socks.  In this post, we’ll go over proper fitting shoes to give your feet the support and breathability necessary for a healthy sole.

What Makes Orthopedic Shoes Different?

Orthopedic shoes are made to be wider and deeper than traditional shoes, which allow room for orthotic inserts and therapeutic insoles.  Designed to offer a cushioning fit that is suitable for any activity, orthopedic shoes are breathable and provide excellent air circulation for your foot.  We recommend consulting your doctor to ensure that the shoe is durable, lightweight and compatible with your accompanying orthotics.  This will also help to prevent any potential irritation that could result in calluses, infections or blisters.

Slip Into Diabetic Socks

Diabetic socks provide ample protection for individuals with diabetes and sensitive feet.  With benefits like gradual compression and a seamless design, diabetic socks reduce irritation and pressure on toes through added padding and cushioning.  Combine diabetic socks with orthopedic shoes and our orthotic inserts atWalk Again and you’ll be on your way to plenty of comfort for your feet. 

As we mentioned in our previous post, always take the time to wash your feet in warm water with a mild soap and check for sores, blisters, redness or calluses.  If you experience any of these issues, be sure to tell your orthotic and prosthetics doctor about them during your regular visit.  

Our team at Dynamics Prosthetics & Orthotics is always in search of the latest products to make sure each client looks and feels comfortable in their own skin – and in their prosthetics! We are the first Los Angeles HUB to offer UNYQ prosthetic covers, a product that is changing the way we see prosthetics – literally. 3-D printing makes it possible to create nearly any design in various shapes and colors.

Style

The selection of prosthetic covers that UNYQ offers is staggering. Whether the patient is interested in elegant, subtle, hip, or even something a little wild, there is a cover for everyone. This collection features stunning designs like the sleek Catwalk in black and silver or the Galaxy Gold Red, which looks more like a super hero suit than a prosthetic cover! We know the joy our patients feel when they finally feel like their prosthetic is a real part of them. Being able to embrace their own style with these covers is a priceless piece of the puzzle.

Performance

UNYQ’s Performance covers are a collection made of unpainted, 3-D printed polyamide. These covers are made strong to accompany any patient on his or her adventure through life with an artificial limb. Running, rock climbing, and biking are just a few of the activities a patient can enjoy while sporting one of these revolutionary prosthetic covers. Each UNYQ cover is, well, unique. We produce each one specifically to the measurements of each client. Combining fashion with performance, these covers bring style that is only matched by functionality.

Find UNYQ prosthetic covers available now through Dynamics!

Each client who comes to Dynamics is on a journey to stand tall again. This doesn’t just mean physically. Life can have a way of getting us down, and sometimes it takes a whole lot of support to bring us back up. Our staff of practitioners and medical professionals, as well as current and former patients, make up a community of unwavering support that helps get all our new patients back on their feet!

A dynamic, by definition, is a process or system characterized by constant change, activity, or progress. Here at Dynamics, we are dedicated to changing lives, promoting active lifestyles, and pushing the progress of technology and innovation. Our products are something of the future – legs and arms that were once the topic of Sci-Fi films are now determining the future of people all over the world. We are proud to be a part of this evolution, and even prouder of the patients who make up this community of amazing, resilient individuals who inspire us all every day.

With new and old technologies, including conventional materials, titanium, 3D printing, and more, Dynamics is able to change the lives of every client based on their individual needs. Some of our patients are experienced prosthetic wearers searching for a better fit, while others are coming to us in search of an artificial limb for the very first time. Whatever “walk” of life they are from, we have a place in our welcoming community for these brave patients. We all stand and, one step at a time, we begin the journey to tomorrow – together.