Footwear problems in developing countries: a practical approach

The diabetic foot is an unfortunate complication of diabetes, but it is one that is preventable. One such strategy to prevent this complication is by using appropriate footwear. Footwear should, however, be considered a ‘double-edged sword’ as it can prevent foot complications, as well as cause them. Although there are various guidelines on footwear laid down by different international bodies, it can be difficult to execute them in practice, as there are various factors that govern usage of diabetic footwear in developing countries. The authors suggest a simple and practical approach for using diabetic footwear in these developing countries