The MABAL shoe, an alternative method in contact casting for the treatmentof neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers

INTRODUCTION: Total Contact Casting (TCC) is considered the gold standard i n the treatment of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers, To overcome some disad vantages of TCC we developed a removable fiberglass combicast shoe - the MA BAL shoe. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The MABAL shoe was used to treat 23 planter ulcers. RESULTS: Before treatment the mean surface area was 2.0 cm(2) (0.5-7.1 cm(2 )). Twenty-one of 23 ulcers healed, with a mean healing time of 34 days (7- 75 days). CONCLUSION: The MABAL shoe provides healing of neuropathic diabetic foot ul cers comparable to existing methods of treatment, while offering some poten tial advantages, The main advantages are mobilization of the ankle, removab ility of the cast and a less time consuming form of treatment.