A research about performance and comfort properties of diabetic socks

Diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease with high blood sugar levels, which occurs as a result of lackness or inefficiency of insulin hormone. Prevalance of diabetes is rising rapidly and nowadays diabetes is characterized as "epidemic". Diabetes affects many systems of the body. In this study, helping to prevent diabetic foot complication of diabetes was aimed. Diabetic foot complication treatment requires long time and high cost. Therefore, for both individuals' health and nation's economy, it is crucial to prevent diabetic foot before it emerges. For this purpose, various specialty yarns were provided and sock samples in different knit structures were knitted. Sock samples were investigated with a broad point of view as mechanical properties, clothing comfort properties and welt pressure. Data obtained from the experimental part of the study were evaluated statistically in terms of knit structure and specialty yarns' effect in these structures. In the scope of the analysis, the most suitable knit structures and yarn type were determined and a diabetic sock, which can be used to help preventing diabetic foot formation, was developed.