416404

Design Specifications of Proper Footwear to Prevent Diabetic Complications and Enhance Ergonomic Comfort

Article

Last updated: 29 Mar 2025

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Abstract

Foot-related complications are common among people with diabetes and are important causes of hospitalization and amputation. Recommendations for persons with diabetes include wearing suitable shoes to reduce foot complications, but such shoes are generally not readily available. This study aims to improve foot comfort and prevent foot complications by modifying conventional design requirements for shoes. Traditional requirements include lightweight construction, good plantar contact, anatomical last, and good side support. However, many commercial shoes deviate from these requirements, leading to interest among occupational therapists. The study focuses on well-structured shoes with ergonomic comfort, focusing on the design of the last and shock-absorbing element. It also suggests foot orthoses and shoe dimensions that approximate the natural plantar contour to prevent ulceration in diabetic neuropathic feet. The ultimate objective is to reduce healthcare costs for hospitals, factory workers, and mountaineers by providing proper footwear. The research aims to provide better autochthonous windy footwear and address the growing diabetic population's needs. Proper footwear is represented by a specific area in the footwear field, which has as its main objective providing biomechanical support in a comfortable way for the entire biological variation of the human foot. Findings: The study illustrated a precise quantitative grid of the scientific findings in the area of diabetes-related foot complications and also in the technological advancements for creating the proper shoe. It provided an updated footwear design specifications based on the feedback obtained from expert fitting specialists. Also, a set of updated standards for classifying the established specifications, checking their relevance to these stakeholders' competence and daily work activity has been designed. A convenient criteria from the study which might significantly influence a favorable position and unique function regarding the appropriate foot presentation concerning footwear ergonomics was concluded. 

DOI

10.21608/idj.2023.416404

Keywords

Foot-related complications, diabetes, Footwear Design, ergonomic comfort, Foot Health

Authors

First Name

Ahmed

Last Name

Moustafa

MiddleName

Waheed

Affiliation

Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Orman Giza

Email

ahmedwms@hotmail.com

City

Giza

Orcid

0000-0001-7841-7808

First Name

Nadia

Last Name

Khalil

MiddleName

Mahmoud

Affiliation

Emeritus professor, Founder and former head of the Leather Industries Department, Faculty of Home Economics, Helwan University,

Email

dr_nadiakhalil@yahoo.com

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Mohammed

Last Name

Sharqawy

MiddleName

Ibrahim

Affiliation

Professor of Vascular Surgery, Department of Vascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine (Kasr Al Ainy), Cairo University

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Vijay

Last Name

Viswanathan

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Head & chief diabetologist, Center of Excellence in Diabetes care, International Diabetis Fedration

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Khlood

Last Name

El Hady

MiddleName

El Sayed Mohamed

Affiliation

PhD Candidate, Leather Industries Department, Faculty of Home Economics, Helwan University

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

Volume

13

Article Issue

4

Related Issue

40815

Issue Date

2023-07-01

Receive Date

2025-03-13

Publish Date

2023-07-01

Page Start

367

Page End

383

Print ISSN

2090-9632

Online ISSN

2090-9640

Link

https://idj.journals.ekb.eg/article_416404.html

Detail API

http://journals.ekb.eg?_action=service&article_code=416404

Order

26

Type

Original Article

Type Code

1,217

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

International Design Journal

Publication Link

https://idj.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Design Specifications of Proper Footwear to Prevent Diabetic Complications and Enhance Ergonomic Comfort

Details

Type

Article

Created At

09 Mar 2025