Personalized orthotic therapy that reduced plantar pressure by off-loading reduced reulceration in high-risk patients with diabetes, according to study results published in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Researchers prescribed therapeutic insoles and footwear to 117 patients with diabetes and a history of foot ulcers, and followed them for 2 years.
Before treatment, researchers found that the reulceration rate was 79% and amputation rate was 54%. After 2 years of orthotic therapy, the reulceration rate was reduced to 15% and the amputation rate was 6%, while sick leave was reduced from 100% to 26%.
Orthotic therapy also reduced peak plantar pressures in patients with and without reulceration. However, a significant decrease in peak plantar impulses was achieved only in patients without reulceration, according to study results.
For more information:
Gonzalez Fernandez ML. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2013;103:281-290.
Disclosure: The researchers have no relevant financial disclosures.
