A Study on the Therapeutic Shoes for Diabetic Patients

Lee, Woo Chun; Park, Sung Sik

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the characteristics of the patients and therapeutic shoes for diabetic patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Forty two diabetic patients who had their own therapeutic shoes which were prescribed somewhere else were studied from March 2003 to December 2003. There were 27 males and 15 females, and the mean age was 62.1 years (range, 49-72 years). Duration of diabetes was average 14 years (range, 6~30 years), all had type 2 diabetes. Sensation was examined with 5.07 nylon monofilament. The route of purchasing the shoes, compliance to the prescribed shoes were investigated by interview. The shape of shoe, stiffness of upper, conformity of insole to the shape of the foot were recorded. In-shoe plantar pressure was measured in 15 patients.
RESULTS
Eighteen patients were insensate to the monofilament. Seven patients did not wear the therapeutic shoes, and only 18 of 35 patients were wearing the therapeutic shoes more than 6 hours a day. The shoes of 17 patients were prescribed by medical doctor and the rest were purchased by the recommendation of acquaintances or advertisement. Ulcer recurred in four of five patients to whom the shoe was prescribed by medical doctor and the cause of three recurrences were evident by just observing the foot and shoe. The therapeutic shoes were made from 11 different makers. Eight shoes were adequate for diabetic patients with respect to the material, shape of insole, type of shoe. In-shoe plantar pressure was examined in 15 patients and was less than 300 kPa in all patients.
CONCLUSION
The therapeutic shoes for the diabetic patients need to be prescribed by medical doctor for selective patients with neuropathy or previous history of ulcer and follow-up examination is important to monitor the compliance of the patients and adequacy of the shoes.