Sengkang General Hospital pilots 3D-printed insoles for diabetic foot care

Custom designs are created using specialised software.

Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) has introduced a new method for diabetic foot care by producing 3D-printed custom insoles in-house.

The approach involves digitally scanning foam box impressions of patients’ feet before using specialised software to design each insole with different densities and topographical adjustments.

Initial results have shown that the insoles reduce peak pressure by up to 28.5% and improve pressure distribution by 52.7%, compared to a 23% reduction and a 40% improved distribution with traditional insoles.

The project was led by the SKH Podiatry team, along with the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery Services, and the SKH Diabetic Limb Salvage service.

Moreover, Singapore General Hospital’s 3D printing centre supported the design and production.