Burkey Patients Benefit from Diabetic Shoe Program

Podiatrist Dr. Richard Burkey, DPM, sees patients for all kinds of foot-care issues. A large percentage of those patients are diabetic and their feet need special and continued attention because of circulation problems related to diabetes. That’s why Burkey’s practice, 3509 Forest Ave., Great Bend, is a strong proponent and participant of the national Diabetic Therapeutic Shoe Program.

“Diabetics lose their limbs easily and a good portion of our practice is diabetic” explained office manager Donna Burkey, and wife of Dr. Burkey. “They get ulcerations on their feet and they can’t feel them. Ulcers get bigger and bigger.

The best seller for women is the Merry-Jane.

A lot of elderly diabetics don’t have somebody caring for them at home and so they may not know that they have a problem.
A big portion of our practice is diabetic. We began the program because we felt it would greatly benefit our patients. It has. I estimate it has helped patients in 98 percent of the cases.”

Ten years ago, Congress passed the Diabetic Therapeutic Shoe Bill, which provides depth shoes and custom inserts annually to patients with diabetes. The program is covered by Medicare and most insurance companies that recognize the effort as a cost-effective preventative also participate in the program. 

The difference between a diabetic shoe and a comfortable Rockport, or a therapeutic Dr. Scholls shoe is like night and day, said Donna.

Diabetic shoes are built for extra depth and come with custom-made inserts that are molded to patient’s feet. The factory makes three inserts for each patient for the year and it’s those inserts that prevent ulcerations.

Boss work boot - There is no best-selling men's shoe in Burkey's office, but diabetic shoes come in all forms, including work boots.

Though completely different, it is nearly impossible to tell a diabetic shoe from any other well-made shoe when worn in public. Tennis shoes, dress flats and loafers, work shoes and work boats are part of the selection that Burkey’s office sells from the stylish Dr. Comfort brand line.    

Once inserts are measured and shoes are selected, it takes 3-to-5 weeks for patients to receive them.

Since the beginning of the year, nearly 100 patients have participated in the shoe program, through Burkey’s office. The business has provided more than 400 shoes and 1,200 inserts to diabetics through the program the past four years.

“Diabetics need to have their feet looked at frequently, the same as their eyes,” said Burkey. “When they come in frequently, whether it is for shoes or diabetic nail care, it helps us to keep check of ulcers and lack of circulation. We’ve saved a lot of people from losing their limbs by doing the routine check-ups.”

Burkey’s practice averages 30 patients a day, four days a week, and sees about seven new patients a week. Not all of those cases are related to diabetic foot-care. 

“Hammer toes, bunions, athlete’s feet, we do everything A to Z in podiatry,” explained Donna.