For people living with diabetes, foot health isn't a small detail: it's essential to staying active and independent. The right footwear can prevent serious complications before they start, and finding it locally makes all the difference. At Orthopedic Appliance Company in Fletcher, we provide therapeutic diabetic footwear, custom insoles, and expert foot care to patients across Henderson County, fitted by certified professionals who understand what diabetic feet need.
Whether you've been advised to switch to diabetic shoes or you're looking to protect your feet proactively, we're here to help. Here's a look at our diabetic foot care services and how they support your long-term health.
Why Diabetic Foot Care Matters
Diabetes can quietly change the health of your feet in ways that are easy to miss. It can reduce blood flow and damage nerves, which makes any wound more likely to get infected, harder to heal, and, in serious cases, raises the risk of amputation (CDC, Diabetes and Your Feet). Nerve damage, called peripheral neuropathy, most often begins in the feet and can dull your ability to feel a blister, cut, or pressure point (CDC, Nerve Damage).
That combination is exactly why proper footwear matters so much. When you can't always feel a problem developing, shoes and inserts that reduce pressure and prevent injury become a genuine line of defense. Protecting your feet today helps you stay mobile and independent for years to come.
Our Diabetic Footwear and Foot Care Services
At our Fletcher office, we offer a full range of therapeutic footwear and foot care solutions designed around your individual needs. Every option is fitted with care, because a proper fit is what makes these devices work.
- Therapeutic diabetic shoes: Extra-depth and custom-molded shoes that reduce pressure and accommodate sensitive or misshapen feet.
- Custom diabetic inserts: Molded inserts that cushion and redistribute pressure away from high-risk areas.
- Accommodative orthotics: Softer, protective orthotics for feet affected by neuropathy.
- Specialized footwear for foot deformities: Options for conditions like Charcot foot, where the shape of the foot has changed.
Because we've served Western North Carolina since 1960, we bring decades of fitting experience to every appointment. You can explore our broader foot care offerings to see the full picture.
Medicare and Insurance Coverage
Good news on cost: therapeutic footwear is a recognized medical benefit for many people with diabetes. Under Medicare's Therapeutic Shoe Bill, Part B helps cover one pair of therapeutic shoes, either extra-depth or custom-molded, plus inserts each calendar year for qualifying patients with diabetes-related foot complications (CMS, Therapeutic Footwear). Eligibility generally requires a diabetes diagnosis, your physician's certification of medical need, and a prescription.
Navigating coverage can feel confusing, and that's where we come in. Our team helps verify your benefits and handle the documentation, and our insurance information is a helpful starting point. For specifics on your plan, just reach out and we'll walk you through it.
Serving Henderson County
Our Fletcher location makes quality diabetic foot care convenient for the whole region. We regularly serve patients from Fletcher, Hendersonville, Brevard, Mills River, Arden, and the surrounding Henderson County communities. With an aging population and a real need for preventive foot care in the area, we're glad to be a local resource families can rely on.
Managing diabetes is already a lot to juggle, so having an experienced, caring team nearby for your foot health is one less thing to worry about. If you're dealing with diabetes-related nerve changes, our blog on amputation related to diabetes offers helpful context on why prevention matters.
What Our Patients Say
Our Fletcher patients often share how much attentive, knowledgeable care meant to them.
"Professional service. Showed care of the individual throughout the entire process of getting my custom-made diabetic shoes. I would highly recommend this business."
Donald B., Fletcher patient
"Excellent experience. They worked with my insurance to provide and fit multiple inserts and new, very comfortable shoes. Highly recommended to keep my diabetic feet healthy. Will use again."
C. Currier, Fletcher patient
"Super friendly, very professional, and knowledgeable about diabetic shoes and supports, and anything else you need to know about your foot."
Andrew T., Fletcher patient
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need diabetic shoes?
If you have diabetes along with foot complications like neuropathy, poor circulation, foot deformities, calluses, or a history of ulcers, therapeutic footwear may be recommended. Your physician can help determine whether you qualify, and we're happy to guide you through the evaluation.
Will Medicare or my insurance pay for diabetic footwear?
Often, yes. Medicare Part B covers therapeutic shoes and inserts each year for qualifying patients with diabetes-related foot conditions, and many other plans offer similar coverage. Our team will help verify your specific benefits before you commit to anything.
What's the difference between diabetic shoes and regular shoes?
Therapeutic diabetic shoes are designed to reduce pressure, prevent irritation, and accommodate sensitive or reshaped feet, often with extra depth for custom inserts. Regular shoes aren't built with those protective features, which matters when reduced sensation makes injuries easy to miss.
How often should I replace my diabetic shoes or inserts?
Many patients qualify for new therapeutic shoes and inserts each calendar year, and worn footwear loses its protective benefit over time. We'll help you stay on a schedule that keeps your feet well protected.
Do I need a referral to come in?
A prescription from your physician is typically needed for insurance coverage of therapeutic footwear. We're glad to coordinate with your doctor and make the process as smooth as possible.
Protect Your Feet, Protect Your Independence
Healthy feet are the foundation of staying active with diabetes, and the right footwear is one of the simplest, most effective ways to protect them. Our Fletcher team is here to help you find comfortable, protective shoes and inserts, fitted with the care and expertise your feet deserve.
Ready to take the next step? Please contact us to schedule a fitting, and let's keep you moving comfortably and confidently.
Visit Our Fletcher Office
Orthopedic Appliance Company 235 St. Johns Road, Suite 100 Fletcher, NC 28732 Phone: (828) 483-5781 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to noon and 1pm to 5pm
Proudly serving Fletcher, Hendersonville, Brevard, Mills River, Arden, and Henderson County.