Adequate pressure-relieving footwear is important to help prevent foot problems in people with diabetes. State-of-the-art principles in footwear design and biomechanics pressure relief and other innovations will be presented during this lecture

This lecture is part of the symposium "State-of-the-art care of diabetic foot syndrome by an interdisciplinary team". The aim of this symposium is to discuss this topic from a variety of angles, combining scientific and clinical knowledge, to provide best-practice examples and practical solutions. In the second lecture of this symposium, the step is made from biomechanically designed state-of-the-art footwear, to footwear that meets these criteria and is being used. Because technically perfect footwear is still only effective when a person with diabetes wears this at all times when weight-bearing.

Foot ulceration is one of the major health problems for people with diabetes mellitus. It is estimated to affect 19% to 34% of people with diabetes at some time in their lives. [1] The risk factors for developing a foot ulcer are mainly peripheral neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, foot deformities like pes cavus and claw- hammer toes and previous ulceration or amputation of the foot.. [1] Looking into the problem of the foot deformities, adjusted footwear and offloading are key factors in the treatment. Out of literature we know that custom-made footwear can only be effective in offloading and prevention of ulcer recurrence in high risk diabetic foot patients, if they are made according to the state of the art concept, based on barefoot plantar measurement data and evaluated by inshoe pressure measurements.