Leprosy: protective footware

Protective footware This image shows four types of footwear suitable for leprosy patients with sensory loss in the feet. They are (from left to right): 1. A shoe bought in China with soft insoles. 2. A shoe made in South Africa, deep enough to fit a soft undersole inside. 3. A sandal made by a market cobbler in Nigeria to incorporate a thick, soft insole made from a 'flip-flop' slipper. The original thongs are removed and the holes filled. 4. A shop-bought Chinese shoe similar to 1. All these examples illustrate good design as well as appearance. It is important that special footwear looks acceptable, in order to reduce the stigma that might be experienced by the wearer. Where footwear can be bought or made locally, the leprosy patient is not dependant on hospital supplies for replacement footwear, which solves the problem of availability.