Diabetic Foot Australia
guideline on footwear for
people with diabetes
Abstract
Background
The aim of this paper was to create an updated
Australian guideline on footwear for people with
diabetes.
Methods
We reviewed new footwear publications, (inter)
national guidelines, and consensus expert opinion
alongside the 2013 Australian footwear guideline to
formulate updated recommendations.
Result
We recommend health professionals managing
people with diabetes should:
(1) Advise people with diabetes to wear footwear
that fits, protects and accommodates the shape
of their feet.
(2) Advise people with diabetes to always wear
socks within their footwear, in order to reduce
shear and friction.
(3) Educate people with diabetes, their relatives and
caregivers on the importance of wearing appropriate
footwear to prevent foot ulceration.
(4) Instruct people with diabetes at intermediate- or
high-risk of foot ulceration to obtain footwear
from an appropriately trained professional to
ensure it fits, protects and accommodates the
shape of their feet.
(5) Motivate people with diabetes at intermediate-
or high-risk of foot ulceration to wear their
footwear at all times, both indoors and outdoors.
(6) Motivate people with diabetes at intermediateor
high-risk of foot ulceration (or their relatives
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