Australian Diabetes Foot Network: practical guideline on the provision of footwear for people with diabetes

Table 1 Footwear recommendations for people with diabetes based on their risk stratification for developing foot ulceration

Category	Foot assessment	Recommendations
Low	No peripheral neuropathy	Off the shelf footwear is likely to be appropriate.
	No peripheral arterial disease	Encourage clients to have their feet measured and professionally fitted.
	Normal foot shape	Encourage clients to wear footwear that meets the criteria in Table 2.
	No history of amputation
At Risk	Peripheral neuropathy	Off the shelf footwear is likely to be appropriate.
	AND / OR	Encourage clients to have their feet measured and professionally fitted.
	Peripheral arterial disease	Encourage clients to wear footwear that meets the criteria in Table 2.
	Normal foot shape	Footwear must be worn at all times to protect feet from injury.
	No history of amputation	Fit footwear in the afternoon to ensure any dependent oedema is accommodated.
		New footwear should be worn in gradually.
		Check feet regularly for signs of trauma when wearing in new shoes.
High	Abnormal foot shape, including History of amputation	Footwear assessment by an appropriately trained health professional recommended.
		Medical grade footwear and custom moulded foot orthoses will generally be required.
		Foot orthoses to be supplied prior or together with prescribed footwear.
		Footwear must be worn at all times to protect feet from injury.
		Fit footwear in the afternoon to ensure any dependent oedema is accommodated.
		New footwear should be worn in gradually.
		Check feet regularly for signs of trauma when wearing in new shoes.

ISSN: 1757-1146