Performance of insole in reducing plantar pressure on diabetic patients in the early stages of the disease

It has been well documented that subjects with peripheral neuropathy resulting from diabetes mellitus are at high risk of developing foot ulceration. Decreased sensation, in combination with high underfoot pressures, have been identified as prime etiology factors in the cause of plantar naturopathic ulceration [1]. This study presents the effect of four orthotic treatment techniques in reducing metatarsal head, heel and toes pressure during walking. A pressure measurement study was carried out on a diabetic patients group wearing four insoles, including the insole designed by the computer model proposed in this project. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on plantar pressure in diverse insoles prescribed and manufactured with various techniques on a random group of patients with diabetes mellitus in the early stages of the disease. Four types of insoles were designed and manufactured by methods available in the market; the computer model proposed on this project was used in order to design and manufacture the insole. The results show that every patient requires an individual assessment and often a personalized insole.