The latest trend in consumer technology has been the idea of ‘wearables’ or technology you constantly carry with you because you’re wearing it. Think of the Nike Fuelband, the Pebble smartwatch, or Google Glass, all devices that market themselves as being useful because they’re always within reach and collecting data which they can use to give you useful information. At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, fitness apparel company Sensoria debuted their Sensoria Fitness Socks. The socks have a thin metal, almost bracelet like, sensor that sits on the ankle and connects to the sensors in the sock. Those three sensors in the bottom of the sock analyze how your foot strikes the ground, the cadence of your stride, and how you manage your speed over the course of a run. This info connects to an app and gives runners a direct look at information they wouldn’t be able to get on their own without a coach. The socks can even provide real time audio coaching over a bluetooth connection.

These socks are another product aimed at helping runners achieve and maintain the best running form possible to save possible damage to the ankle and knee.  We’ve discussed other fitness apps and how to choose the correct athletic apparel before and are looking forward to these when they come out later this year. In the mean time while we wait for these, we have plenty of athletic socks full of high-end fabric technology for all of your exercise needs.

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The study examined the medical records of 32,000 diabetes patients between the ages of 18-64. By
comparing those who had foot exams against those who did not, the study found that those who
received foot care from a podiatric physician are almost 29 percent less likely to require amputation
than those who did not. In addition, those who had a foot exam are 24 percent less likely to require
hospitalization.

“Because many serious complications from diabetes present in the lower limbs, proper foot care for
people with diabetes is a vital step to keeping the disease in check,” according to the American Podiatric
Medical Association (APMA). In 2007, the APMA launched the “Knock Your Socks Off” campaign to
educate diabetes patients about the importance of foot screenings.

The results of this study are groundbreaking and important in diabetes research. Before now, podiatrist
visits were considered optional. “No longer can care by a podiatrist be considered optional for those
with diabetes,” says Vickie R. Driver, MS, DPM. “The earlier a podiatrist is included in the diabetes
management team, the better quality of life for the patient and greater health-care cost savings for all
involved. This study clearly allows us to understand both the clinical and economic value of a podiatrist,
in the team approach to saving diabetic patients’ feet.”

During a routine foot exam, something as simple as a new shoe recommendation or a prescription for
seamless, diabetic socks can improve the foot health of a diabetic. Because diabetics lose feeling in their
feet, diabetic socks reduce the chances of undetected cuts and sores developing on the feet, which can
lead to serious medical problems or amputation.

The post Podiatric Exams Reduce Chance of Amputation, Study Says appeared first on Heel to Toe: A Guide to Feet from Socks4Life.com.