Author(s) Wu SC, Jensen JL, Weber AK, Robinson DE, Armstrong DG, et al.

Journal Diabetes care. Date of publication 2008 Nov 1;volume 31(11):2118-9.

Abstract 1. Diabetes Care. 2008 Nov;31(11):2118-9. doi: 10.2337/dc08-0771. Epub 2008 Aug 11. Use of pressure offloading devices in diabetic foot ulcers: do we practice what we preach? Wu SC(1), Jensen JL, Weber AK, Robinson DE, Armstrong DG. Author information: (1)Scholl's Center for Lower-Extremity Ambulatory Research, Rosalind Franklin Universityof Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois, USA. stephanie.wu@rosalindfranklin.edu OBJECTIVE: Pressure mitigation is crucial for the healing of plantar diabetic foot ulcers. We therefore discuss characteristics and considerations associated with the use of offloading devices. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A diabetic foot ulcer management survey was sent to foot clinics in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2005. A total of 901 geographically diverse centers responded. The survey recorded information regarding usage frequency and characteristics of assessment and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers in each center. RESULTS: Of the 895 respondents who treat diabetic foot ulcers, shoe modifications (41.2%, P < 0.03) were the most common form of pressure mitigation, whereas total contact casts were used by only 1.7% of the centers. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports the usage and characteristics of offloading devices in the care of diabetic foot ulcers in a broadly distributed geographic sample. Less than 2% of specialists use what has been termed the "gold standard" (total contact cast) for treating the majority of diabetic foot ulcers. DOI: 10.2337/dc08-0771 PMCID: PMC2571059 PMID: 18694976 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Source ID (e.g. PMID): 18694976