What kinds of socks should people with diabetes wear? There is lots of bad advice about diabetic socks on the worldwide web. However, you don’t expect that bad advice to come from the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC).
The CDC makes this recommendation to people with diabetes: “When you exercise, wear cotton socks and athletic shoes that fit well and are comfortable. After you exercise, check your feet for sores, blisters, irritation, cuts, or other injuries.” CDC, Exercise and Diabetes.
Is there any evidence to support this recommendation of the CDC?
Most of the research regarding sock materials has been done with socks on healthy feet. The United States military has done extensive research. The U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine has assimilated that research and recently recommended soldiers use synthetic socks because they manage moisture better. USACHPPM Injury Prevention, Physical Training and Sports Injury Prevention Guidlines 2009.
Douglas H. Richie, Jr., DPM, recently wrote an article “Therapeutic Hosiery: an Essential Component of Footwear for the Pathologic Foot,” in Podiatry Management, Oct. 2008, pp. 125-134. After reviewing the available evidence, Dr. Richie makes this recommendation to podiatrists: “Synthetic fiber socks are preferred to natural cotton fiber socks for use by patients with pathologic feet.”
If you have diabetes, your doctor should be advising you on an exercise routine. Be sure to ask your doctor about the kind of socks you should be wearing. If your doctor is unaware of the research cited in this article, don’t be afraid to discuss it with her or him.
Russ Despard
I have checked with my doctor and he too has suggested me to wear diabetic socks as it contains synthetic yarn “Celliant” which helps to improve oxygen level, blood circulation and overall feelings of wellness….
http://agreatsock.com/diabetic-thin-detail.html
TamarackHTI
Hi Russ,
Thank you for your comment on this blog post. Generally, diabetic socks are simply manufactured with higher quality materials and construction than you’ll find with the average sock. Over the years, I’ve learned that you really do get what you pay for in a sock; whether it’s for casual, medical, or sports applications.
Dr. Todd’s Foot Care Products, an online retailer of quality foot care essentials, has a great selection of high quality diabetic socks. I highly recommend checking it out.
Best of luck in your sock search!
JP – Sales & Marketing Dept.
Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN USA
csortho feet
Suffering from plantar fasciitis for over a year made shopping for shoe a difficult task. I had read about diabetic socks and thought I would take a gamble. They are by far the BEST shoe for me. I had cleared my pain up over the winter months and was ready to get back into my walking routine. I bought my diabetic socks and absolutely LOVE them. Can walk three miles and have no pain afterwards. My walking shoes have turned into my working shoes. I will order another pair as soon as I have time to look and decide.
diabeticorthofootwearindia
It is a very nice website. Thanks for giving full information about Diabetic Socks.
Rachel Mattson, Customer Service
Thank you! You’re welcome!!