Outcome of treatment of Eichenholtz stage III charcot neuroarthropathy by using bilayer insole: a single center study.

Introduction: Insoles are recommended for the treatment of patients with neuropathic foot to distribute the foot plantar pressure while preventing recurrent ulceration. Different types of insole are available but the cost is the major limiting factor. Thus, it is justifiable to conduct this study to evaluate the efficacy of cost effective locally-designed bilayer Lunairmed insoles as an adjunctive treatment for patients with Eichenholtz Stage III Charcot neuroarthropathy in our centre. Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in tertiary centre, Malaysia from September 2016 to September 2017. A total of ten patients with Stage III Charcot neuroarthropathic foot without ankle instability were included. All patients were evaluated for foot plantar pressure by using Tekscan, short form (SF-36) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) score before and after using insoles. Results: Fifteen out of twenty feet showed reduction in peak plantar pressure (PP) and force-time-integral (FTI) at forefoot and heel after using bilayer Lunairmed insoles. There was a mean reduction of 24.8% of total foot PP. Conclusion: Locally designed bilayer Lunairmed insoles could be used to reduce PP in Eichenholtz Stage III Charcot neuroarthropathic foot without ankle instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]