Sealed Therapeutic Shoe as Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Total contact casts (TCCs) are effective treatment of plantar diabetic foot ulcers because they effectively offload the ulcer and are non-removable, resulting in high adherence to using the device. However, TCCs are not widely used in clinical practice because they negatively impact gait and daily activities. A new treatment concept was invented, sealed therapeutic shoe, where a shoe with a custom-made insole offloads the ulcer, and the shoe is rendered irremovable to be worn day and night, like a TCC. In this multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT), 150 participants will be recruited and randomized to two treatment arms: TCC or sealed therapeutic shoe. The primary outcome is ulcer healing, secondary outcomes include (but are not limited to) skin complications, glycemic control, body mass index, gait function, balance, quality of life, physical activity, and health economics.
Start: August 2019