External Shoe Lift to Improve Healing and Adherence in Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Clinical Efficacy of an External Shoe Lift in the Contralateral Limb to Improve Healing and Adherence in Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Previous researches hipothesize that imposed limb-length discrepancies may discourage adherence in patients with active diabetic foot ulcer and using offloading devices. Our hipothesis is that the use of an external shoe lift contralaterally to the affected foot may improve adherence to offloading devices and improve healing.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Plantar diabetic foot ulcer.
• Wagner I and II classification.
• Ulcer area between 1-30 cm square centimeters.
• HbA1c values in the last three months below 11%
• Ankle brachial Index (ABI) value > 0.5.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of Critical Limb Ischaemia definid by TASCC II guideline.
• Presence of foot ulcer in both feet.
• Presence of soft tissue infection.
• Osteomyelitis suspicion.
• Peripheral neuropathy due to different causes than diabetes.