Randomised clinical trial to compare total contact casts, healing sandals and a shear-reducing removable boot to heal diabetic foot ulcers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of three off-loading techniques to heal diabetic foot wounds: total contact casts (TCCs), healing sandals (HSs) and a removable boot with a shear-reducing foot bed (SRB). This was a 12-week, single-blinded randomised clinical trial with three parallel treatment groups of adults with diabetes and a foot ulcer (n = 73). Ulcer healing was defined as full reepithelialisation with no drainage.

Preventing diabetic foot ulcer recurrence in high-risk patients: use of temperature monitoring as a self-assessment tool.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a temperature monitoring instrument to reduce the incidence of foot ulcers in individuals with diabetes who have a high risk for lower extremity complications.

Research Design And Methods: In this physician-blinded, randomized, 15-month, multicenter trial, 173 subjects with a previous history of diabetic foot ulceration were assigned to standard therapy, structured foot examination, or enhanced therapy groups. Each group received therapeutic footwear, diabetic foot education, and regular foot care.

Wear and biomechanical characteristics of a novel shear-reducing insole with implications for high-risk persons with diabetes.

Objective: This study was designed to measure pressure and shear reduction of a novel insole design.

Methods: We compared three multilayer viscoelastic insoles to a novel insole design (Glide-Soft, Xilas Medical, Inc., San Antonio, TX).

Home monitoring of foot skin temperatures to prevent ulceration.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of at-home infrared temperature monitoring as a preventative tool in individuals at high risk for diabetes-related lower-extremity ulceration and amputation.

Research Design And Methods: Eighty-five patients who fit diabetic foot risk category 2 or 3 (neuropathy and foot deformity or previous history of ulceration or partial foot amputation) were randomized into a standard therapy group (n = 41) or an enhanced therapy group (n = 44). Standard therapy consisted of therapeutic footwear, diabetic foot education, and regular foot evaluation by a podiatrist.