Offloading for the Diabetic Foot: Considerations and Implications

Abstract

Offloading the diabetic foot remains the major consideration for ulceration prevention and healing. This narrative literature review presents a brief overview of current guidelines for offloading the diabetic foot and discusses the implications that come with offloading treatment modalities and their effects on the kinetic chain of the lower extremity. We also present the latest innovative studies from the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science that advance the knowledge in this field and provide avenues for future research opportunities.

Keywords: Cast walkers; Compliance; Diabetic foot; Foot ulceration; Limb length discrepancy; Offloading guidelines; Offloading implications; Therapeutic shoes.