Property evaluation of diabetic socks used to prevent diabetic foot syndrome

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic disease which is increasing during the past years. Studies state that in 2025 the number of patients around the world will approximately be the double. Due to the complications promoted by diabetes, the patient looses sensitivity, but at the same time injuries are more complicated to be healed. Special care must take place with diabetic feet, namely by using proper shoes and socks, in order to avoid exceeding friction, sudation, high temperature, among other relevant factors. One of the most serious problems for diabetic patients is called diabetic foot syndrome, that when neglected, can become dramatic, because in extreme cases, amputation of the foot may occur. In this research we studied several socks, made with new and advanced materials and diversified knitted structures, focusing on socks commercially available and specially designed for diabetic patients, in order to understand what would be the most adequate combination of structure and fibres that would give the adequate results in terms of l properties using different equipment and to foreseen the possibility of indicating the most appropriate material/sock for the different existing diabetic foot syndromes.