A diabetic foot ulcer, or DFU, is an open sore or wound that can occur on the foot of a person who has diabetes. DFUs are quite common - approximately a third of all people with diabetes will experience foot ulceration at some point in their lives. Due to nerve damage caused by diabetes, DFUs are notorious for being difficult for the patient to detect in a timely manner. DFUs can also be slow to heal due to poor circulation associated with diabetes. Many diabetic patients also have an impaired immune response, making the wounds likely to get infected if they are not treated promptly. An infection can cause a variety of complications, including tissue death and amputation. Careful monitoring of a diabetic person’s foot health by a podiatrist is necessary to prevent poor outcomes.

Recently, research on DFUs and technological advancements in remote patient monitoring (RPM) have made it possible for your podiatrist to monitor your foot health even without an immediate visit to the office. Your podiatrist can prescribe you special diabetic shoes or socks with embedded sensors that measure parameters relating to your foot health, such as the pressure on your feet, their temperature, or your step count. This high-tech footwear then transmits that information wirelessly to your doctor and to you so that you can take steps to prevent DFUs.

Siren Socks

Siren socks are specially made for people with diabetes. They are embedded with sensors that continuously monitor the temperature of your feet. Temperature is strongly associated with the risk of developing a DFU. A sustained increase of two degrees Celcius in foot temperature indicates that a foot ulcer may be forming. When Siren socks detect such an increase, they can alert patients and their podiatrists so that they can take actions to prevent an impending DFU. These socks also transmit information about pressure on the foot. Siren socks are completely cellular and do not need to be charged. This means that you will not need a smartphone, home wifi, or an electrical outlet to use them. They come in sets of five and are replaced annually at no charge.

Orpyx Insoles

Orpyx insoles are specially designed orthotic inserts. They can be used with a custom pair of diabetic shoes or with shoes that you already own. Orpyx insoles are embedded with sensors that monitor foot temperature. Temperature is strongly associated with the risk of developing a DFU. A sustained increase of two degrees Celcius in foot temperature indicates that a foot ulcer may be forming. When Orpyx insoles detect such an increase, they can alert patients and their podiatrists so that they can take actions to prevent an impending DFU. These insoles also monitor foot pressure, step count, and hours of use. This information is transmitted to your podiatrist and to you via a digital display that resembles a smartphone. Orpyx insoles need to be charged every few days using a wireless charger.

To learn more about these remote patient monitoring tools for preventing DFUs, and to see if they are right for you, contact your podiatrist today.