Shoe or not for diabetic with small wound

[enesberg]

I am a new nurse caring for a diabetic patient with a 1 inch cut just above his toenail. He hit it this morning, and now his toe is pink and warm. I am wondering if he should or should not wear shoes? It seems like a shoe might put undue pressure on his toe..

yet he would benefit from a shoe to protect his foot from further injury...

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

One reason people with diabetes have special shoes is to avoid pressure- a well-fitting pair of shoes would not put pressure on the toes. Shoes do protect the feet- but checking the feet daily is important as well.

Other concerns are whatever degree of neuropathy this patient has and peripheral circulation. Remember too that hyperglycemia decreases the immune response.

ETA: this is why I stress never going barefoot to our patients with diabetes.

[casi, ASN, RN]

Is the patient currently seeing a podiatrist? Podiatry is awesome for assessing for properly fitting shoes and how they best work with wounds.