SKH Pilots 3D-Printed Custom Insoles to Advance Diabetic Foot Care

Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) has piloted an innovative approach to diabetic foot care through in-house production of 3D-printed custom insoles in a cross-institution collaboration with Singapore General Hospital's (SGH) 3D Printing Centre (3DPC). The new approach reduces the time taken for patients to receive customised insoles from up to two months to one week, significantly improving care accessibility for patients with diabetes.

The SKH Podiatry team spearheaded this multi-disciplinary innovation with the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery Services teams under the SKH Diabetic Limb Salvage (DLS) service, as well as SGH 3DPC. Initial results showed that these custom insoles reduced peak pressure by up to 28.5% and improved pressure distribution by 52.7%, surpassing traditional insoles' performance, which is critical for both wound recovery and ulcer prevention. Given Singapore's high amputation rates, this innovation represents a significant step forward in early intervention to prevent diabetic foot complications and reduce amputation risks.

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