Long-term use of shoe orthoses significantly reduced diabetes-related amputations, according to study results recently presented at the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics World Congress in Hyderabad, India.
Researchers studied 114 Swedish patients with diabetes and a risk of developing foot ulcers. Over 2 years, patients wore one of three different types of shoe orthoses.
Results showed that the use of orthoses, podiatry, education and regular check-ups helped patients avoid foot ulcers. Overall, only 0.9% of participants developed new foot ulcers during the first year vs. an industry average of 3% to 8% reported in similar diabetic populations.
“Our research found that the therapeutic shoes and inserts reduce pressure on the foot by 50% compared with going barefoot,” Ulla Hellstrand Tang, CPO, with the Sahlgrenska University Hospital, stated in a news release. “By effectively distributing pressure under the sole, the inserts minimize the risk of ulcers and ultimately work to prevent amputations.”
For more information:
Tang U. Effectiveness of insoles in preventive treatment of diabetic patients. Presented at: The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics World Congress. Feb. 4-7, 2013. Hyderabad, India.
