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Why
Should You ONLY
use for your Diabetic Shoes?? If you don't know a Pedorthist, let us recommend on in your area. |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pedorthist Why should you call ACTIVE Medical Supplies? Do you have to be licensed or certified to fit Diabetic Shoes? I have diabetes; do my shoes need to be specially fit by a Pedorthist? Not every diabetic needs therapeutic shoes I can tell if my shoes fit, can’t I? I always wear the same size. Can I just get them? Aren’t therapeutic shoes and foot orthotics expensive? How can I pay for them? Am I “AT-RISK?” for an amputation? Are proper fitting shoes really worth all this trouble? Shoe fitting is an art, NOT a science! What about stores that sell “custom fit” pre-fabricated orthotics, like those advertised on TV? Should I wear this shoe all the time? |
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A Pedorthist fits shoes perfectly!!! And That’s All |
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Why should you call ACTIVE Medical Supplies? To properly fit shoes requires training. We are Certified Orthotic Fitters and Certified Pedorthists. There are only 14 people in the WHOLE State Of Iowa with this training. (A total of over 150 hours of Shoe Fitting and Orthotic fitting classes.) To keep this certification we must attend at least 11 hours per year in continuing education. Ask your pharmacist how much training he has in fitting shoes. Most have watched a 15-minute video. That’s It.
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Do you check my feet? We will do a complete foot evaluation, including a monofilament neuropathy test. Most pharmacists don’t even ask to see your feet without socks!
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What is a Pedorthist? By strict definition, Pedorthic’s is the design, manufacture, modification and/or fit of footwear, to prevent or help foot problems caused by disease, defect, overuse or injury.
Basically, Pedorthist’s are highly trained professionals in the fit and function of shoes and Orthotics. Proper footwear should fit your feet AND also should fit your lifestyle.
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Do you have to be licensed or certified to fit Diabetic Shoes? We are CERTIFIED, but the laws in Iowa (and some other states) do not require it. The rule in Iowa is that a Pedorthist, Podiatrist or “other qualified individual” must fit the shoes. With no definition of “Other Qualified” anyone can sell shoes. There are strict laws in some states, stating fitters must be Certified or Licensed, but not in Iowa yet. It will change.
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I have diabetes; do my shoes need to be specially fit by a Pedorthist? If you have diabetes, and especially if you have any loss of sensation in your feet, you should have your shoes fitted by a Pedorthist. A Pedorthist will be able to measure your feet correctly and choose a shoe for your foot type. Good, protective shoes will also have soft lining materials and no seams at critical locations inside the shoe.
NOTE: Not every diabetic needs therapeutic shoes. It is ultimately the medical doctor who decides. We will send (FAX) your Doctor a form, asking specific questions about your feet.
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I can tell if my shoes fit, can’t I? Two common misconceptions regarding shoe fit are that you can know your shoe size and that you can feel when a shoe is right for you. Often your shoe size may have changed, especially if you have gotten older or heavier (like most of us). Unfortunately, many people with diabetes have poor feeling in their feet so they are inclined to buy shoes that are too tight and too small.
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I always wear the same size. Can I just get them? In the supermarket, a quart of milk is always a quart, no matter what brand, no matter what store you shop. You will always get 32 oz.. Shoes are different by style and brand. Each shoe manufacturer has it’s own design and style. Size 7 in one brand, might be a 7½ or 8 in another. You cannot always go by the size you wore last.
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Aren’t therapeutic shoes and foot orthosis expensive? How can I pay for them? In the late 1980s, the government recognized the increased number of foot amputations in people with diabetes. They developed the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Bill. Medicare will provide protective footwear for people with diabetes who are “at-risk” for amputations.
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Am I “AT-RISK?” for an amputation? At-Risk means you have more than a 25% chance of being hospitalized with foot problems related to Diabetes.
We believe the MOST “at risk” are the people who say, “My Feet Are Not That Bad YET”. If you wait until YOU see a problem, it is possibly too late for the shoes.
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Are proper fitting shoes really worth all this trouble? Actress/Dancer Betty Grabel insured her legs for $250,000!! How expensive is your foot? Your toes? Your leg? Your freedom? People with diabetes must protect their feet at all costs. Allowing an infection to begin can lead to severe problems for your overall long-term health. For people with diabetes, an ounce of prevention is certainly better than a pound of cure!
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Shoe fitting is an art, NOT a science! To fit a shoe, we can measure the length and width with a measuring device. But some areas, we have to do with Trial And Error and a darn good guess. We have over 5,000 different styles and sizes available. We guarantee the fit. If you are not happy, we are not happy. If, after wearing them for a week or two, if you feel they are not right, call us and we will make it right. Even if you change your mind on the color or style, we will exchange it to make you happy. Last year, we personally fit OVER 1,000 pair of shoes. The average pharmacist fit about 50.
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What about stores that sell “custom fit” pre-fabricated orthotics, like those advertised on TV? Walk into one of those “good” stores and you may spend $200 or more for custom fit orthotics. Custom fit is not Custom made. Custom fit is when they try on a few until they find one that is okay or close enough to okay. The only warranty or guarantee the store offers is that the product won’t break. There is no warranty or guarantee on the fit or comfort. If you change your mind or don’t like the insert, it is just too bad. In most cases, your money will not be refunded. Custom made is made from a mold of your foot. It is exactly perfect. A Pedorthist warranty is that the fit is perfect, and of course, the product won’t break. We also offer FREE re-adjustments and a FULL MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.
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Should I wear this shoe all the time? We understand you have different shoes for different occasions. You don’t wear the same shoe going to a wedding that you do going fishing. The diabetic shoe should be worn MOST of the time. (90% of the time is OK)
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Can I choose any shoe I want from your selection? A Certified Pedorthist will be sure you get the most comfortable shoe for your lifestyle. Not every shoe will work well for every person. If you pick a shoe that is not going to be comfortable for you, you will not want to wear it all the time. The shoe you get from us, you will want to wear all the time.
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Every field has its own specialty, and training. For example,
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A Pedorthist fits shoes perfectly!!! And That’s All |
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The shoe you get from us will be the most comfortable shoe you own. |
