In the US, over 160,000 lower extremity amputations are performed annually due to complications from DFUs; this shoe technology may mitigate DFUs. Image courtesy of UTARI.
Researchers have developed a new shoe insole technology that helps reduce the risk of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), a dangerous open sore that can lead to hospitalization and leg, foot, or toe amputations.
“The goal of this innovative insole technology is to mitigate the risk of diabetic foot ulcers by addressing 1 of their most significant causes: skin and soft tissue breakdown due to repetitive stress on the foot during walking,” said Muthu B.J. Wijesundara, PhD, principal research scientist at The University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI).
“Although many shoe insoles have been created over the years to try to alleviate the problem of foot ulcers, studies have shown that their success in preventing them is marginal,” he said. “We took the research a step further by creating a pressure-alternating shoe insole that works by cyclically relieving pressure from different areas of the foot, thereby providing periods of rest to the soft tissues and improving blood flow. This approach aims to maintain the health of the skin and tissues, thereby reducing the risk of diabetic foot ulcers.”
