The Importance of Pressure Off-loading Devices for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention
In the UK, over 4.9 million people have the condition, with a further 13.6 million people at increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, the implications of diabetes to the individual can be severe. Without proper preventative care, people with the condition are at risk of complications such as foot ulceration, which can lead to lower-limb amputation. Lets look at offloading pressure and some of the tools available to achieve this.
It is widely acknowledged that the foot should be a supportive structure to resist the forces that are applied to it during the propulsive or push of phase of gait. To do this the arch of the foot should be become elevated and the foot becomes more supinated. There are a number of ways in which the foot can do this.