A total of 243 people (134 males and 109 females) with a mean age of 68.5 years were included in the study. The mean duration of diabetes was 12.28 years. Individuals were divided into the following categories by two trained podiatrists using NHS Borders Foot Classification System: “low risk 1” (27.2%), “low risk 2” (28.4%), “moderate risk 3” (22.6%) and “high risk 4” (21.4%) of developing foot ulcers; and those with an “active foot disease” (0.4%). Upon clinical examination, the following deformities were observed within the study population:
l Thirty-eight per cent presented with corns or callosities in their feet.
l Hallux valgus deformity was present in 49.4% of the participants (58% mild; 30% moderate; 12% severe).
lThirty-nine per cent had hammer toes of differing severities.
l Prominent metatarsal heads (24%) and other bony prominences (44%) were also recorded during clinical examination