Deformity: how podiatrists assess this for the diabetic foot assessment

Vicki Crossland, Rachel Forss

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Background: Foot deformity is a key risk factor for diabetic foot ulcer risk assessment in UK-based screening tools. Research and guidelines on ulcer risk vary in how deformity is defined or assessed. Anecdotally, foot deformity assessments can be inconsistent in practice. Aims: To understand how podiatrists assess deformity, difficulties experienced and what, if any, improvements to guidance clinicians want. Methods: Mixed method
    study with 26 participants from one NHS Trust completing an online survey and four participants completing a 1:1 interview. Results: Over half of respondents reported difficulty in assessing deformity, particularly where deformity is slight. Opposing
    views emerged on what constitutes “normal” foot shape. Guidance was felt to be lacking, particularly on the roles of severity of deformity, biomechanics and footwear. Conclusion: Significant variation exists in clinicians’ view of deformity and how it
    should be assessed. Improved guidance would be welcomed but concerns were expressed regarding curtailment of clinical judgement.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)34-41
    Number of pages8
    JournalThe Diabetic Foot Journal
    Volume23
    Issue number1
    Publication statusPublished - 6 Apr 2020

    Keywords

    • Assessment
    • Deformity
    • Diabetic Foot Ulceration

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