Care for footwear not required diabetic patients

According to a new study, shows that ulcer rates among diabetes wearing special shoes are no lower than among those wearing ordinary good quality footwear. People with diabetes should be well aware that good foot care is an essential part of managing their condition. For the poor circulation that is typical in diabetes leaves the foot vulnerable to ulceration and other problems which can lead to serious complications if left unattended.

It's been the custom in the United States to prescribe special footwear - with inserts and extra room in the toe area - to people with diabetes. A study from the University of Washington now suggests this may not be strictly necessary for most of those with diabetes. They had two groups, out of 300 patients with diabetes, wear special shoes of two types, while a third wore their own shoes. Foot ulcer rates after two years were equally low in all three groups. The researchers suggest that it's not the footwear, but the quality of foot care that makes the difference in diabetes.