The research team with the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, began their investigation after statistics were released that every 30 seconds a doctor performs an amputation because of foot ulcers or complications due to diabetes. Many of these amputations can be prevented with conservative treatment and controlling blood sugar.
"We found that good shoes and inserts can reduce pressure on the foot by 50 percent compared with going barefoot," said research Ulla Tang. "Our conclusion at the end of one year is that... inserts effectively distribute pressure under the sole in order to minimize the risk of ulcers."
The study was conducted over a period of five years by the Gothenburg researchers of diabetic foot complications. They studied 114 Swedish patients with diabetes who were at risk for developing foot ulcers. The participants wore one of three different types of shoe inserts, or orthotics, over two years.
Just 0.9 percent of participants developed new foot ulcers during the first year, compared to 3-8 percent who typically report having ulcers.
"Ulcer prevention is not only a way of relieving suffering, but a sound financial investment," Tang said. Amputations are far more costly in personal and monetary concerns than shoe inserts.
The researchers also developed a new digital tool doctors can use to assess the patient's risk for foot ulcers.
Reference: NewsMax Health
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