Reinforcing the Role of Therapeutic Footwear in Ulcer Remission

More wonderful work from our long-time SALSAmigos from the Complutense in Madrid. A recent study in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice took a look at the relationship between wear and tear of therapeutic footwear and the risk of ulcer recurrence in patients with diabetes.¹

A 5-year prospective study took place with 115 patients in remission from a diabetic foot ulcer. Those patients’ therapeutic footwear underwent evaluation at 3-month intervals until ulcer recurrence. Over 70% of the patients renewed their therapeutic footwear during the study interval, and those that did not experienced more recurrence and minor amputations. In addition, recurrence-free survival median times were longer at 205.5 weeks for those that renewed the footwear, and 89.9 weeks for those that did not.

Our practice tends to encourage patients to change or renew their therapeutic footwear at least annually, but sometimes more frequently based on the patient’s given activity. We also realize that most patients will wear multiple shoe types, including sandals. We try to work with them on this, as well. For easing people back into activity, we use our Rancho/USC SALSA guidelines.²

Dr. Armstrong is Professor of Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. He is the Director of the Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA). 

Editor’s note: This blog originally appeared here. It is adapted with permission from the author.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Podiatry Today or HMP Global, their employees and affiliates. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, association, organization, company, individual, anyone or anything.

References

1.     Lopez-Moral M, Garcia-Morales E, Molines-Barroso RJ, Garcia-Madrid M, Alvaro-Afonso FJ, Lazaro-Martinex JL. Effects of wear and tear of therapeutic footwear in patients remission. A 5-year follow up study. Diabetes Res Clin Prac. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2022.109971

2.     SALSA/Rancho Los Amigos Guidelines for Return to Activity in Remission. DF Blog. Available at: https://diabeticfootonline.com/2020/05/30/salsa-rancho-los-amigos-guidelines-for-return-to-activity-in-remission-toeflowandgo-usc-ranchoresearchi-usc_vascular/ . Published May 30, 2020. Accessed July 22, 2022.