• 한국의류학회지
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• 제35권5호
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• pp.527-536
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• 2011

Diabetics often suffer from the complications of foot disease. Foot discomfort results from poor blood circulation. Thus, diabetics should wear socks that do not constrict the blood flow in the feet and legs. This study examines the design factors and performance requirements of socks for diabetics. We apply the results to the development of socks for diabetic. The participants in this study were 112 diabetic patients who had visited a hospital in Busan. We conducted statistical tests that included t-tests and chi-squared tests. The results depended on age and gender. Male and female patients did not differ from each other in the most favorite style; however, their second favorite style was different. The second most preferred style for male patients was calf-length socks, while the second most preferred style for female patients were ankle-length socks. Male patients preferred black or gray socks, while female patients preferred white socks. Socks for diabetics should be machine washable, easy to remove, non-slip, lightweight, comfortable, deodorized, and antibacterial.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.224-228
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• 2018

Purpose: The most common cause of plantar ulceration is an excessive plantar pressure in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Foot orthosis and therapeutic footwear have been used to decrease the plantar pressure and prevent the plantar ulceration in in diabetes patients. We investigated whether protective sock with functional insoles reduce plantar pressure while walking in 17 diabetes patients. Methods: An in-shoe measurement device was used to measure the peak plantar pressure while walking. Peak plantar pressure data were collected while walking under two conditions: 1) wearing diabetic sock and 2) wearing the protective sock with functional insoles. Each subject walked 3 times in 10-m corridor under three conditions, and data were collected in 3 steps in the middle of corridor with in right and left feet, respectively. Pared t-test was used to compare the peak plantar pressures in three plantar areas under these two conditions. Results: The protective sock with functional insoles significantly reduced the peak plantar pressure on the lateral rearfoot, but significantly increased the peak plantar pressure on the middle forefoot, and medial midfoot (p<0.05). However, there were not significant in medial and lateral forefoot, lateral midfoot, and medial rearfoot between diabetic sock and the protective sock conditions (p>0.05). Conclusion: The protective sock with functional insoles reduced plantar pressures in the rearfoot and supported the medial longitudinal arch. However, it is necessary to change the position of metatarsal pad in the insole design of forefoot area to prevent diabetic foot ulceration.