Introduction: One of the most serious complications of diabetes are foot problems. Even small mechanical injuries or bacterial infections can lead to the amputation of the lower limb. An important factor in the treatment of the diabetic foot are the orthopedic insoles, which should provide the right balance between support, accomodation and comfort. This can be ensured by the proper shape and mostly by the selection of the right materials for manufacturing. Purpose: The purpose of this work is to investigate how the selection of different materials influences the effective approach to diabetic foot treatment. Methods: The descriptive method was employed through the search of various databases e.g. Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct and others. The literature used was mostly in English. Results: Without the knowledge of certain material properties it is difficult to select appropriate materials for the insoles. Properties that should be taken into account are density, stiffness, friction and shear forces between the foot and the insole, durability, compression resistance, as well as biocompatibility, moisture absorption and bacterial resistance. According to the research, cellular foam and silicone are the most commonly used materials. Best results can be achieved by combining three materials with different properties for foam insoles. The upper layer should be adjusted to the shape of the foot, the middle one has a shock absorption function and the lowest layer functions as a movement control. Discussion and conclusion: Since diabetics often face several medical issues the insole should be suitable for performing several different functions. Each patient should be treated individually therefore there is no universal rule for the choice of materials. They should be selected based on their performance characteristics and patient’s needs and preferences.
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