Comfort and Specialised Footwear
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- Specialized Diabetic/Rheumatoid Footwear
- Comfort
- Boots
- Trainers
- House Shoes
- Sandals
- Walking Shoes & Boots
- Safety Shoes & Boots
PFA provides a comprehensive range of the latest comfort and specialized footwear, whether fashionable dress shoes or boots, lace up or Velcro closure, walking shoes/boots, specialist trainers, sandals, house shoes or safety boots and shoes.
The Comfort Footwear range includes stylish shoes made on lasts ranging from narrow and shallow to very wide and deep, depending on the manufacturer’s specification, whilst special order stock shoes can be made as single shoes or odd sized pairs to accommodate differences in foot shape.
PFA uses British, European and American ranges and often “customises” the stock shoe with insoles and/or adaptations to suit the individual client’s needs.
The Specialised Footwear option focuses on the foot that is not suitable for the comfort range as well as the ‘at risk foot’. The ‘at risk foot’ is a term used to describe the fragile condition of the foot caused by conditions such as Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Chronic Vascular Insufficiency (to list a few). Such conditions require special care and attention to reduce the possible causes of irritation and tissue damage, which can lead to further serious health problems. It is imperative that a trained professional measures and fits the footwear to ensure the best possible fit and function is obtained and that there are no potential areas of irritation. Here at PFA we are able to assess the client’s individual requirement and supply the most appropriate footwear and orthoses.
The Diabetic Foot: Diabetes is a serious condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high, resulting from diminished insulin production. Complications include peripheral vascular disease, affecting the eyes, kidneys, legs and feet. The narrowing of the arteries leads to reduced oxygen and nutrient delivery to the tissue, which can impair healing. Another serious complication that can arise is neurological atrophy, where there is reduced sensitivity and loss of ability to feel pain, pressure and temperature; this is referred to as neuropathy. Due to these complications the foot is more prone to developing un-noticed blisters, calluses and ulcers, due to the loss of sensation, which can lead to infection and amputation.
PFA is able to supply an extensive range of diabetic footwear which is designed to protect the diabetic foot, combining function and style to give support and comfort. The characteristics of diabetic footwear include seamless soft cushioning linings with durable lightweight soling materials that provide excellent shock attenuation. They make allowance for extra depth, width and volume for the addition of insoles and they come with a variety of closure systems from lace-ups, straps with buckles to easy lay Velcro.
The skilled clinical team is able to assess and prescribe any adjustments that may be required to provide the best biomechanical advantage. The bespoke insole, shaped to the contours of the individual foot, is an essential component to the overall diabetic foot care.
Where higher level orthotic unloading devices are needed; e.g. ulcerated / Charcot foot conditions, these need to be coordinated with the choice of dressing, insole and footwear prescription.
