When you have diabetes, you may feel as though you have bigger fish to fry than foot pain, but for many, it’s one of the biggest daily hurdles.
Short walks feel like marathons, standing for extended periods leads to throbbing, burning pain — even a short walk to the bathroom can be agonizing. Over time, that discomfort can limit mobility, increase fall risk, and affect your overall quality of life.
National Diabetes Month is the perfect time to highlight an often-overlooked but powerful tool for protecting your feet: custom orthotics. In Lutherville, Maryland, Kelly L. Geoghan, DPM, and our team prescribe these medical-grade shoe inserts that are created specifically for your feet — not just for comfort, but for better long-term foot health.
Diabetes — especially unmanaged diabetes — can damage peripheral nerves, namely those in your feet. It also can reduce circulation, leading to pain, numbness, or tingling in the feet. This is known as diabetic neuropathy.
Even minor injuries, such as a blister or callus, can take longer to heal and may sometimes develop into ulcers with a risk of infection if not properly treated.
That’s why foot care isn’t just about comfort. It’s about prevention. When your feet hurt less, you move more. And when you move more, your circulation improves, a positive cycle for your overall health.
Our orthotics are specially made insoles crafted from molds or digital scans of your feet. Unlike off-the-shelf inserts you can find at the drugstore, custom orthotics address your unique pressure points, arch structure, and gait.
They can:
When you have diabetes, these details matter. Preventing wounds and ulcers can help avoid more serious foot complications down the road.
Here’s how custom orthotics relieve diabetic foot pain and protect your feet from complications.
Generic inserts may be helpful in the short-term, but they’re not designed for your specific foot shape or condition. Custom orthotics support your feet exactly where they need it. And that targeted pressure relief can reduce burning, tingling, or aching with every step.
When walking becomes painful, it’s tempting to avoid moving around. But movement is essential for circulation and blood sugar control. Custom orthotics make walking more comfortable, encouraging gentle daily activity, which is a big win for long-term health.
Nerve damage from diabetes may prevent you from noticing small cuts, blisters, or pressure sores until they’ve worsened. Orthotics help prevent these injuries by reducing friction and evenly distributing your weight, lowering the risk of ulcers that can become serious.
Diabetic neuropathy can affect how your feet sense the ground, increasing fall risk. Orthotics improve stability, helping you feel more confident with each step. That stability is especially important for older adults or anyone with nerve-related foot changes.
Orthotics don’t just relieve pain today — they help protect your feet in the long term. By correcting alignment and reducing strain, they lower the risk of developing deformities or needing more invasive interventions later on.
Foot pain doesn’t have to control your mobility or your life when you have the right diabetic foot care team in your corner. Custom orthotics offer comfort, protection, and support designed just for you.
This National Diabetes Month, give your feet proper attention. Contact Kelly L. Geoghan, DPM, today to schedule an appointment and get started with an evaluation for custom orthotics.
