How Athletes Can Manage Their Diabetic Feet
If you’re an athlete managing diabetes, you know the drill: intense training and constantly checking your feet afterward. Being an athlete with diabetes helps manage the condition, but it also can make your foot problems worse if you’re not paying attention to your feet. At Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists, we help our diabetic athletes see both sides of the spectrum, so that they remain empowered yet cautious.
Diabetic Footwear for Athletes
Athletes who have developed neuropathy lose the protective sensation of pain. This means you might sustain a serious injury, like a deep blister, a stress fracture, or friction from a rubbing cleat, and not feel the warning signs until the damage is extensive.
Your athletic shoes are your first line of defense, so you can’t compromise on them. The biggest mistake athletes with diabetes make is wearing worn-out shoes that have lost their support.
- Replace Them Often: Don’t wear your running shoes past their prime. Once the cushion is dead, your feet take all the pounding.
- Opt for Seamless Socks: Invest in high-quality, seamless, moisture-wicking diabetic socks. Seamless designs prevent friction, which stops blisters and sores from forming. The wicking material keeps feet dry, preventing fungal infections.
- Custom Orthotics: If your podiatrist recommends them, use custom orthotics religiously. They are essential for evenly distributing pressure, reducing the strain that causes problems like plantar fasciitis, and protecting high-pressure areas.
Any wounds from your cleats? This is what you should do.
- Treat Wounds Immediately: If you spot a blister or cut, clean it gently, apply antiseptic cream, and cover it with a sterile, non-adhesive bandage. Do not pop blisters or try to cut away dead skin yourself.
- Never Delay Professional Help: If a cut doesn’t show signs of healing within 24 hours, or if you notice any deep redness, warmth, or drainage, call your podiatrist. Infections spread fast when circulation is compromised.
Why Being an Athlete Can Help Prevent Diabetic Foot Problems
But there is a silver lining. Your active life provides built-in defenses that the general diabetic population often lacks.
Even with the presence of diabetes, you are naturally fighting the effects of poor circulation. Consistent, high-level cardiovascular exercise leads to more efficient blood delivery than a sedentary person has.
Also, your years of training mean you possess superior muscle and joint stability. This provides a natural bracing for the foot structure, which helps to minimize the excessive movement and stress that leads to friction injuries and deformities.
And even if minor neuropathy is present, your heightened balance and reaction time can often help you correct a misstep or avoid a fall that a less conditioned person might not catch.
If you’re experiencing foot pain, discomfort, or changes in how you walk, come see the expert team at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists. With locations in Tucson and Oro Valley areas of Pima County, Arizona, Bradley A. Whitaker, D.P.M., FACFAS, Peter C. Merrill, D.P.M., AACFAS, and Zeno Pfau, D.P.M., are here for you. Call us at (520) 575-0800 or contact us online!
