For those with foot problems, physician-prescribed therapeutic
shoes may be the answer
If you have a foot deformity or loss of sensation in your feet
due to a circulatory condition, you may need therapeutic shoes.
Therapeutic shoes differ from regular shoes. Therapeutic shoes
are prescribed by a foot specialist, like a podiatrist, and are
specially designed for your foot condition.
Therapeutic shoes may be designed to:
- relieve pressure
- accommodate deformities
- provide support
- limit joint motion, when necessary.
If your foot doctor determines you need therapeutic shoes, he or
she will write you a prescription. You can then take the prescirtion
to a retail outlet that sells the therapeutic shoes. In some cases,
you will be referred to a special foot clinic or orthotic-prosthetic
facility. These facilities usually have the shoes in stock and
have the expertise to properly fit the shoes to your feet. These
facilities also assist patients who need made-to-order shoes. Custom
shoes can take three to six weeks to be made and delivered.
Purchasing therapeutic shoes
The type of therapeutic shoes you need depends on your medical
condition. Before purchasing therapeutic shoes, talk to your doctor
about the type of shoe that's right for you.
Before purchasing therapeutic shoes, you should remember to:
- have both feet measured
- schedule the fitting appointment in the afternoon or evening,
when feet tend to be largest due to swelling
- ignore shoe sizes on boxes-therapuetic shoe sizes vary according
to the manufacturer
- take a walk to make sure the shoes fit comfortably.
For more information about orthopedic
shoes, talk to your doctor.
Therapeutic shoes right at your fingertips
For a variety of therapeutic shoes, see our product menu at right.
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