Diabetic shoes and orthopedic footwear give the feet more room, protection and comfort than regular shoes. Compression garments and posture correctors should be chosen based on a doctor’s recommendation. Med Sklep in Brooklyn, with Polish-speaking staff, carries footwear plus compression and posture support products.
Sore feet, swollen legs, a back that complains by the end of the day. That is everyday life for many people who stand or walk a lot or live with a chronic condition. The right shoes or stockings will not replace treatment, but they can make the day easier.
Below we answer the practical questions about choosing, fitting and paperwork. This is not medical advice: what a particular person needs is up to their doctor.
How are diabetic shoes different from regular shoes?
Diabetic shoes are usually wider and deeper than regular shoes, with a soft interior without raised seams and room for inserts. The goal is a shoe that does not press or rub anywhere on the foot.
People with diabetes need to take special care of their feet, so the doctor decides which shoes and inserts are needed. Med Sklep carries both diabetic shoes and orthopedic footwear, and you can go over sizing in Polish.
How should I try on orthopedic shoes?
A good fit is half the battle. A few simple rules for the fitting:
- shop in the afternoon, since feet often swell a little during the day;
- wear the socks you plan to wear every day;
- try on both shoes, because feet are often slightly different sizes;
- bring your inserts if the doctor prescribed them, and try the shoes on with them;
- walk around the store: the shoe should not press or rub anywhere.
If you have a doctor’s note about footwear, bring it with you. It makes choosing the right model easier.
What is compression therapy?
Compression therapy means wearing garments that apply gentle pressure to the leg, such as compression stockings, knee-high socks or wraps.
Compression garments come in different pressure levels and sizes. The type and level of compression are always set by the doctor; do not choose them yourself or by guesswork. Good compression also depends on the right size, so ask at the store how measuring works. Compression stockings go on differently from regular socks, so ask about that when you buy them, too.
What are posture correctors for?
A posture corrector is worn on the upper body to help keep you upright and to remind you about your posture during the day.
When trying one on, check that it does not dig in under the arms and that you can fasten it without help. A posture corrector does not replace exercise or treatment. If your back hurts, talk to your doctor first, then ask Med Sklep about available models and sizes.
Will my health plan cover shoes or compression garments?
That depends on your plan and your medical documentation, not on the store. Med Sklep works with Medicaid, Medicare and other plans and helps you check eligibility, so the product is free or has a low copay when the plan allows it.
A prescription or doctor’s order is usually required. Before you come in, call with your insurance card in hand: 718-388-3355.
What should I bring to the store?
- a prescription or doctor’s recommendation, especially if you want your plan to cover the cost;
- your insurance card: Medicaid, Medicare or another plan;
- the socks and inserts you will wear with the shoes;
- your old shoes, since the wear pattern shows how you walk, which helps when choosing.
Staff speak Polish, and Med Sklep has supplied the Polish community with medical and rehabilitation equipment for more than 10 years. Orders can also be shipped to family in another state or in Poland, since the store ships within the U.S. and to Poland.
If a loved one also needs help getting around, read our guide to choosing a wheelchair, scooter or walker, and if they spend most of the day in bed, our guide to hospital beds for home care.
You can find diabetic and orthopedic shoes, compression garments and posture correctors at Med Sklep (M.A. Surgical Supplies Inc.), 188 Woodpoint Rd #1C, Brooklyn, NY 11211. The store is open Monday through Thursday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM, and is closed on weekends. Call to ask about available sizes: 718-388-3355.
Store details and contact information are listed in the Med Sklep profile in the Polish Pages directory.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Your doctor determines the type of footwear, inserts and compression garments you need, and your health plan or insurer decides on coverage.
