BACKGROUNDS. Ill-fitting footwear is an important risk factors for diabetic foot ulceration, especially in case of foot deformities and sensory neuropathy. The aims of the research were to investigate the validity of the three-dimensional foot scanning, to obtain data on the food size and shape in the patients with diabetes , to evaluate the necessity of marketing shoes of dif­ferent size for the left and the right foot.

METHODS. In 415 patients with diabetes, clinical foot examination and three-dimensional laser foot scanning were performed. Foot deformity indexes, cut-off values and the differences between both feet were calculated.

RESULTS. The size of the two feet was different in the majority of the subjects (absolute difference in length 3,05 ±2,75 mm – less than 1 length size point). Foot deformity indexes in the patients with clinically confirmed deformities were significantly higher than in those without deformities (p = 0,00). The sensitivity of the method to detect claw toes and hallux valgus was 70,7% and 64,0%, the specificity 73,5% and 79,4%.

CONCLUSIONS. Foot deformities and left/right asym­metry is found in about 50% of diabetic patients. The possibility to buy shoes of different length and width would make sense. Three-dimensional foot scanning is a useful method for the detection of foot deformities.