Diabetic Boots

The diabetic individual is susceptible to developing diabetic neuropathy and a loss of protection sensation. If protective sensation is lost, the individual is at increased risk for developing a diabetic foot ulcer due to the inability to detect even the most minute lesion to the skin. Couple this with the fact that blood flow to the site of the lesion can be compromised due to atherosclerosis, healing can be impeded if not prevented without the healing effect of oxygenated blood. Approximately 60,000 diabetic patients in the United States lose a foot or leg each year.

A diabetic boot is a carefully designed foot support and pressure reducing and distributing medical product to:

• Support the ankle when walking
• Reduce the overall pressure on the foot, and
• More evenly distribute the pressures of weight bearing, especially on those areas at greatest risk, such as the plantar surfaces of the distal phalange of the toes, the metatarsal heads, lateral border of the foot, and the calcaneus.  

There is a substantial body of professional literature available on diabetic boots and their potential benefits. Here are some examples of research studies and literature reviews:

1. "Footwear and offloading interventions to prevent and heal diabetic foot ulcers and reduce diabetes-related amputations," a Cochrane review published in 2018, found that offloading interventions, including the use of specialized footwear like diabetic boots, can significantly reduce the risk of diabetic foot ulcers and amputations.

2. A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research in 2019 compared the effectiveness of custom-made diabetic footwear with standard off-the-shelf footwear for preventing diabetic foot ulcers. The study found that custom-made footwear was more effective at reducing ulcer recurrence and improving quality of life for patients.

3. A literature review published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology in 2017 examined the impact of diabetic footwear on foot biomechanics and gait. The authors found that properly designed diabetic footwear can improve balance, reduce plantar pressure, and mitigate gait abnormalities in patients with diabetes.

4. A study published in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications in 2018 evaluated the effectiveness of a new type of diabetic boot that uses pneumatic air chambers to provide pressure relief and improve blood flow to the feet. The study found that the pneumatic boot was effective at reducing pressure and improving vascular function in patients with diabetic neuropathy.

Check out our line of durable VACO diabetic boots that ProHealthcareProducts.com has to offer.