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Best Shoes For Medical Conditions
According to one study, up to 30% of people could have fallen arches (often otherwise known as flat feet or “over pronation”), which would We all know that DB Wider Fit Shoes supply the widest and deepest footwear on the market, and the perfect fit for wider feet.
But did you also know that many of our shoes are designed specifically for people who need wide-fitting shoes due to issues caused by foot health issues such as arthritis, bunions, hammer toes, diabetes, lymphoedema, Morton’s Neuroma, plantar fasciitis, flat feet and many more?
We put our 100+ years of shoe-making experience into designing wide and extra-wide footwear with the right mix of features to suit many different needs.
Features like soft stretch panels to accommodate bunions or to gently expand as your feet swell through the day; seam-free toe boxes to reduce rubbing against bunions or diabetic feet; a variety of fastenings to offer differing levels of security of fit and ease of access for people with varying levels of motility or mobility; and many more.
We’re here to help!
Use the summaries and links below to learn more about the features that you may need in your footwear for different conditions* - please see disclaimer below.
All of our footwear is wider and deeper than high street footwear so, if you have one of these conditions but have “normal” width feet then our shoes may not be suitable for you.
Shoes for Foot Health Issues Quick Overview:
Shoes for arthritis
The ideal shoes for arthritis have enough room for swollen feet and joints, are flat and offer support in the right places to stabilise joints and avoid unnecessary joint pressure and are well-fitting.
They also have soft cushioning to act as suspension for troubled joints, have enough space to reduce rubbing against sore areas and have good quality soft uppers.
The best shoes for arthritis sufferers also have ease of access to avoid forcing joints whilst putting shoes on but they might need features suitable for people that don't necessarily have arthritis in the feet or ankles, but in hands or wrists, such as simple, easy-touch fastening systems.
And, of course, they also have to look great. Just because you have arthritis doesn't mean that you shouldn't have stylish shoes like everyone else. You need to feel confidence in the quality and comfort of your footwear, but also confidence to step out, knowing that you look great too!
Shoes for diabetes
It is important when buying shoes for people with diabetes that, firstly, fit well and have a secure fit, meaning properly fitted shoes with a secure lace-up fastening are ideal. Rubbing can cause blisters which diabetes sufferers may have difficultly healing.
The best shoes have no internal seams, again to reduce rubbing and, because many diabetes sufferers find that they develop oedema in their feet and ankles, wider fitting shoes are often required to provide the width and depth needed.
Shoes for bunions and hammer toes
For people with bunions and hammer toes the best shoes have enough width and depth to accommodate the bunion or hammer toe without rubbing, squeezing or pinching; are the correct shape for your feet; have no internal seams and are made from soft materials with enough give to expand to mould to the shape of your feet and reduce rubbing against sore areas.
Wide and extra-wide fitting shoes for Oedema and Lymphoedema
For people with oedema and lymphoedema, the best shoes are those that are wide and deep enough to accommodate swollen feet, or feet that swell, without squeezing. We are delighted to help many customers with Lymphoedema, however, symptoms vary and a reminder that our current maximum foot circumference that our shoes can accommodate is 328 mm for men’s shoes and 290 mm for women’s shoes.
Shoes with full coverage and even compression are ideal too, to prevent swelling occurring further down the foot.
Easy access can be important for feet that are swollen, to ensure it’s not painful to put the shoe on and, because moderate exercise is so important for people with lymphoedema, to keep fluid moving around the body, the shoes must fit well to enable you to remain active.
The right shoes for plantar fasciitis
To avoid undue stress on the tissue of your feet that can cause plantar fasciitis, it is important that your footwear offers good support and stability that has good cushioning underfoot, has good arch support, doesn’t have a high heel and, extremely importantly, that they fit well.
So the best shoes for plantar fasciitis offer the right support and stability; have soft materials for cushioning and flexibility; have plenty of room for toes to flex, enabling you to stretch the plantar fascia; are adjustable enough to fit well; have good arch support either built in or are wide and deep enough to allow the insertion of specialist insoles and are flat: no high heels!
Shoes for flat feet
When looking for shoes for flat feet, you need to ensure that they offer raised arch support to take pressure off the middle of your foot, or have the capacity to insert your own specialist arch support insole; enough width to accommodate feet that "spread"; support across the sole and heel; adjustable fastenings that can be set securely enough to prevent movement of the foot within the shoe and a slightly raised heel.
We’re here to help
You should always contact your health professional if you feel that you may have any of these conditions but, once you have spoken with them to confirm a condition we’re here to help with advice regarding features, fittings or information about any of our styles.
So, if you need more information on our footwear and suitability for your feet then please contact us on 01933 311 077. Our friendly, knowledgeable team will be delighted to speak with you to discuss your requirements and suggest styles that may be suitable for your needs* - please see disclaimer below.
* Disclaimer: The information provided in these articles is of a general nature and should not be taken as a diagnosis or medical advice. All questions and concerns should be directed to your Doctor, Podiatrist or other health advisor. Additionally, our customer services team are not qualified health professionals and, whilst they are able to outline the different features available with our styles and their potential suitability for some customers, they are unable to prescribe a style for your feet or guarantee a fit for any customer’s feet and any advice provided is not to be taken as medical advice.
Whilst we may be able to help with suitable footwear we know that the care of your feet is important to your health. Why not check out our Foot Care Provider page to locate someone who may be able to help you!
VAT Exempt footwear
Did you know, if you need 6E, 6V or 8E fitting footwear and have a qualifying condition, that you might be eligible for VAT relief?
This means that you could essentially benefit from a discount of 20%. And what's more, our promotional discount codes still apply, meaning you can gain further savings.
We make it easy to claim your VAT relief by clearly listing the VAT exempt price against qualifying products, and provide a very short form to fill out as part of the checkout process when ordering your 6E, 8E or 6V fitting shoes.
Qualifying conditions for VAT free purchases include physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example, blindness; conditions treated as chronic sickness, such as diabetes, arthritis or lymphoedema; and long-term illnesses.
Look out for the link underneath our available fittings on each product page to claim your VAT exemption.
Why not check out some of our other blog posts to help you with you feet.
Why the right shoes is important for diabetes sufferers »
8 reasons why it's worth paying more for quality wide fit shoes »
Best shoes for Arthritis »
