A step in the right direction: smart insole for diabetic foot ulcers developed
An innovative insole technology has been created to reduce repetitive stress for individuals at risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington (TX, USA) have developed a pressure-alternating insole to help prevent diabetic foot ulcers, which are a leading cause of amputation in the US and costly to the American health system.
Diabetes mellitus affects 537 million people globally, this is predicted to jump to 643 million by 2030. For individuals with diabetes mellitus, diabetic foot ulcers are one of the most common causes of infection and amputation in the US. Patients who undergo amputations due to foot ulcers face a poor prognosis, with mortality rates in the US exceeding 70% within 5 years of the operation.
“Although many shoe insoles have been created over the years to try to alleviate the problem of foot ulcers, studies have shown that their success in preventing them is marginal,” explained study author Muthu BJ Wijesundara (University of Texas at Arlington).
To overcome limitations associated with current orthotic shoes, the team drew on inspiration from seat cushion technology to design an air-cell array insole with a pneumatic control unit.
“We took the research a step further by creating a pressure-alternating shoe insole that works by cyclically relieving pressure from different areas of the foot, thereby providing periods of rest to the soft tissues and improving blood flow. This approach aims to maintain the health of the skin and tissues, thereby reducing the risk of diabetic foot ulcers,” Wijesundara added.
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By analyzing static peak pressure and dynamic pressure data, the team demonstrated that their innovative insole was successful in reducing peak pressure and loading on selected areas of the sole through deflating corresponding air cells. This highlighted its potential for use in individuals with diabetic neuropathy who are prone to applying continuous static loading or repetitive stress on the soft tissue of their feet.
Next steps for the research involve investigating other contributing factors for both plantar pressure patterns and pressure reductions as well as investigating the insoles capability for varying shoe sizes and loading weights. The team hope that a pilot study can shed more light on the feasibility of this technology for those suffering from nerve damage caused by diabetes.
