RESEARCH ON ESTABLISHING A FOOT SIZE SYSTEM FOR MEN WITH DIABETES AS A BASIS FOR DESIGNING SHOES FOR PATIENTS

Abstract

Diabetic patients often suffer from foot diseases, in which foot ulcers are a dangerous
complication and lead to the risk of amputation. Shoes that fit well (high comfort) play an important
role in reducing the risk of foot ulcers. Therefore, people with diabetes need to use their own
footwear, designed on the basis of their foot size system. This article presents the results of research
on establishing a human foot size system based on measurements of 302 male diabetic patients at
Khoai Chau District Medical Center, Hung Yen Province and the Department of Endocrinology,
National hospital of Endocrinology. As a result, a foot size system has been built according to the
French size system with 5 sizes by foot length: 232.5, 239, 245.5, 252 and 258.5mm. Each size by
length has 5 sizes by the width (fullness) of the foot. This size system covers over 94.5% of male
diabetic feet. The research results are the basis for designing shoe lasts and shoes to meet the usage
requirements for Vietnamese men with diabetes.