Advice needed on diabetic Charcot footwear

[Type II newbie]

Hi,
I am visiting my daughter in London and need recommendations on appropriate footwear for my Charcot leg condition.
I am a type II diabetic and have had multiple debridement procedures on my left heel followed by skin grafting. I need some specialist footwear to help support and balance my foot without putting too much pressure on the affected area. Can someone recommend who I can go to in the London area to assess what footwear will suit me best and supply this. I do not have insurance and my nhs wont cover. They also are unable to make any recommendations other than looking on google. any advice will be much appreciated.
thank you
newbie

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome.

So sorry to hear you have Charcot. One of our members @Flower sadly also suffers with it and is very knowledgeable about it although I believe she is in a permanent cast to support hers, so I am not sure how much knowledge she will have on customized footwear. Hopefully she will be able to offer some advice. It is thankfully quite a rare condition but unfortunately that may make getting suitable footwear more difficult.
Managing your Blood Glucose (BG) levels as well as you possibly can will limit further damage.
What diabetes medication are you using and have you modified your diet to help limit the impact it has on your BG?
Do you use a BG meter to test your levels at home?

Sorry for all the questions but it helps to build a better picture of your situation.

 

[Type II newbie]

Hi and welcome.

So sorry to hear you have Charcot. One of our members @Flower sadly also suffers with it and is very knowledgeable about it although I believe she is in a permanent cast to support hers, so I am not sure how much knowledge she will have on customized footwear. Hopefully she will be able to offer some advice. It is thankfully quite a rare condition but unfortunately that may make getting suitable footwear more difficult.
Managing your Blood Glucose (BG) levels as well as you possibly can will limit further damage.
What diabetes medication are you using and have you modified your diet to help limit the impact it has on your BG?
Do you use a BG meter to test your levels at home?

Sorry for all the questions but it helps to build a better picture of your situation.

Hi Barbara,
Thank you for reaching out. I am on medication for thyroid and diabetes. My diabetes medication is twice a day, after breakfast and dinner. At the moment BG is in the acceptable range. I have a BG meter at home and test once in 3 days. The wound in the foot is almost healed however i am unable to stand for long durations and not mobile as it puts pressure on the wound and grafted area leading to swelling of legs and the wound opening up. This is affecting my confidence and ability to be mobile. I try to keep leg in elevated position for most of the time. Hence looking for right footwear/brace support to be a bit more mobile. Thanks

 

[Flower]

Hi and welcome @Type II newbie

I'm sorry to hear you have Charcot foot and are having mobility challenges.

Are you being seen at an NHS high risk podiatry clinic to check on your feet or is someone checking on your wound after debridement/grafts and what footwear are you using at present? You should be referred to an NHS orthotics clinic where custom insoles and custom made shoes or a brace if necessary can be made to fit your feet exactly and protect the vulnerable areas by offloading pressure you put through your feet. This is assuming you're living in the UK.

I know clinics such as podiatry and orthotics have been disrupted due to Covid but ask you GP/NHS clinic for an urgent referral to orthotics or ask what you are supposed to wear on your feet to protect them from further damage. This should be provided by the NHS as Charcot foot is an ongoing high risk problem and needs vigilance to avoid blisters, ulcers and bone damage. The Diabetes UK helpline should be able to help and advise you on getting a referral if you have problems

Talk to us about diabetes​

0345 123 2399​

Although there are some really good comfortable footwear brands around such as Vionics, Skechers etc they are for a standard foot and even if your feet haven't changed shape from Charcot they still need the damaged areas to be protected. Orthotic clinics make a mold of your feet and make insoles/shoes to that exact shape and size for maximum support and minimal friction.

I'd get in contact with the NHS clinic that did the foot debridement and ask for help with getting the right footwear. Best Wishes.