Plantar pressure analysis and customized insoles in diabetic foot ulcer management: Case series

Abstract

Nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers are a major health concern, reducing the quality of life of individuals and families. It is well-known that reduction and redistribution of plantar pressure prevents ulceration or its recurrence. However, studies regarding the use of customized insoles to off-load existing ulcers are limited. This case series highlights the potential of customized insoles in improving outcomes of diabetic plantar foot ulcers in three patients. Functional Ambulation Performance Score (FAPS) and plantar pressure readings obtained from barefooted gait analysis were noted. Customized insoles were crafted using fully customized insole (Boyner insole) technology at Advanced Wound Care Department, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Maharashtra, India for every subject as necessary. Gait analysis, wearing footwear with customized insoles, was performed immediately and repeated after 2 months for comparison. All three cases presented with improved FAPS, reduced plantar pressure at wound site, and accelerated healing after 4 months.

Keywords

• diabetic complication
• plantar ulcers
• wound off-loading