Improving Diabetic Foot Ulcer Offloading with User-Friendly Cast Walker Design
Official title: Improving Diabetic Foot Ulcer Offloading: A Pilot Study on the Impact of Removable Cast Walker Design Factors on Usability
Funded at Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci · NIH-11640036 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small pilot study to see how different removable cast walker designs affect daily use and healing of diabetic foot ulcers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (North Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $18,765 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DK131303-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11640036 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diabetes who have a foot ulcer and are prescribed a removable cast walker.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a foot ulcer or not prescribed an RCW are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
People with diabetes who have foot ulcers often need offloading devices to heal, but they don’t always wear them consistently. This pilot project tests how design factors of removable cast walkers influence usability and adherence, with the goal of informing a larger trial. Researchers will collect biomechanical data and patient-reported experiences to see how usability relates to ulcer healing. The study aims to build a model that could guide clinicians in choosing the best RCW design for each patient. If successful, the work could pave the way for more effective and personalized DFU care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If designs that are easier to wear are identified, patients may heal ulcers faster and reduce the risk of complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows adherence to offloading devices is linked to healing, but this pilot explores how design factors specifically influence adherence.
Where this research is happening
-
Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci
North Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosenblatt, Noah — Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci
- Study coordinator: Rosenblatt, Noah
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Home-based exercise to help Veterans recover after healed diabetic foot ulcers
A home-based exercise program for Veterans who recently healed from a diabetic foot ulcer to improve walking and daily function.
-
Wound fluid test to predict healing in diabetic foot ulcers
This project looks for chemical signals in the fluid from diabetic foot ulcers that could tell adults with diabetes whether a wound will heal with standard care or need a different treatment.
-
Identifying biomarkers in wound fluid for diabetic foot ulcers
This study is looking at special substances in the fluid from diabetic foot ulcers to see if they can help doctors predict how well the wounds will heal, which could lead to better and more personalized treatments for people with these types of wounds.
-
Investigating gene markers that affect healing in diabetic foot ulcers
This study is looking at how inflammation affects the healing of foot ulcers in people with diabetes, and it's creating a special test to help doctors understand how well these wounds are healing so they can provide better, personalized care for patients.
-
Home exercise program to help Veterans recover after a recently healed diabetic foot ulcer
A home-based exercise program designed to help Veterans who recently healed from a diabetic foot ulcer regain strength, mobility, and independence.
-
Understanding Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing
This project aims to find a way to predict how well diabetic foot ulcers will heal by looking at specific markers related to inflammation.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.