Footwear for Diabetics – Structural and Material Elements for the Prevention and Alleviation of Foot Lessions

The publication was funded by the state budget under the program of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education Republic of Poland called “Science for Society”, project title „Active therapeutic footwear dedicated to patients with diabetic foot syndrome”, project (grant) number NdS 547732/2022/2022. The total funding amount is 1,541,073.28 PLN, and the total value of the project is also 1,541,073.28 PLN.

This article was completed while the second and final author was a doctoral candidate at the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School of Lodz University of Technology, Poland.

Diabetic foot syndrome is a syndrome of specific conditions affecting the foot. It is a complication of diabetes. It occurs in 12–25% of patients with diabetes. Untreated, it leads to irreversible deformities and necrosis of the foot, often resulting in amputation. In this study the statistics and consequences of diabetic foot syndrome are described. Patients with diabetes need to take care of their lower limbs. Proper footwear can prevent foot wounds. Available solutions for the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot syndrome are presented herein: footwear, insoles and requirements for footwear materials. Appropriate equipment for a person with diabetes, especially one who has been diagnosed with diabetic foot syndrome or is at risk of such a condition, includes footwear and replaceable insoles. The parameters of footwear, insoles and footwear materials that are most optimal for patients with diabetes and diabetic foot syndrome were defined. The effect of a pulsed electromagnetic field and pulsed ultrasound on diabetic foot problems was evaluated.