As we spotlight podiatry and diabetes care this August and September, we’re reminded of a simple yet powerful truth: footwear matters… especially indoors.

According to Elliot Michael, DPM, a recent study conducted at the Hillsboro Foot and Ankle Clinic revealed a compelling link between indoor footwear habits and diabetic foot ulcer outcomes. Among diabetic patients who developed or struggled to heal ulcers:

• One-third reported not wearing shoes or hard-soled footwear at home.
• 86% of those who healed wore shoes at home.
• 57% of those with non-healing ulcers did not wear shoes indoors.

These findings underscore the importance of protective footwear inside the home as a key component of diabetic foot care. While smoking and elevated A1c levels are known risk factors, the simple act of wearing shoes indoors emerged as a significant differentiator in healing outcomes.

Why This Matters for LHP Measures

This insight aligns directly with LHP’s Comprehensive Diabetes Care measures, particularly:

• HbA1c Poor Control (>9.0%): Target is to reduce from 30.5% to 25%
• Diabetic Eye Exam: Target is to increase from 55.4% to 60%

By promoting preventive foot care, including consistent use of accommodative footwear indoors, we support better glycemic control and reduce complications that can lead to hospitalization or amputations.

What You Can Do

• Ask patients not just if they wear shoes, but what they wear at home.
• Educate on the importance of protective footwear indoors.
• Coordinate care with podiatry services to ensure at-risk patients receive timely interventions.

Let’s use this campaign to elevate awareness and drive measurable impact across our diabetic population.

To refer to a podiatrist in the LHP network, please see the groups below:

Advantage Orthopedic and Sports Medicine
Ankle and Foot Centers PC
Ankle and Foot Physicians and Surgeons
Broadway Foot and Ankle Clinic
Elite Foot & Ankle Associates
Family Foot Clinic
Hillsboro Foot and Ankle Clinic
Lake Oswego Foot Clinic
LMG Foot and Ankle
Northwest Extremity Specialists
Oregon Foot Clinic
Oregon Institute of Foot Care
Pearl Foot and Ankle
The Oregon Clinic Foot and Ankle
The Portland Clinic Foot and Ankle
Vancouver Clinic Foot and Ankle