19 th June 2024, Bangalore, India: FootSecure, a pioneering healthcare start-up specialising in podiatric medicine and wound care, recently launched its state-of-the-art custom footwear manufacturing unit in Bangalore, with the support of the Karnataka Institute of Endocrinology & Research. This new venture marks a significant milestone in FootSecure’s ongoing mission to revolutionize foot care by providing tailored solutions for various foot conditions and reducing amputation rates through timely intervention and care for various foot and ankle diseases.

 As per research data by Allied Market research, the global diabetic footwear market alone was valued at $5,802.5 million in 2020 and is projected to reach $14,183.7 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 7.9% from 2022 to 2031. Apart from specialised footwear for diabetics, the overall therapeutic footwear and custom pedorthics footwear market is also on the rise. This can be attributed to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes, arthritis, and plantar fasciitis, the fast-rising recreational and competitive sports scenario, as well as the rising geriatric population, and a simultaneous advancement in technology in medicine and medical devices.

 FootSecure, a pioneering healthcare start-up specialising in podiatric medicine and wound care, was founded in 2018 with the aim of making quality podiatric services affordable and accessible to the masses. Recently, the start-up launched its Custom Prescription Footwear manufacturing facility in Bangalore. Speaking about the venture, Dr. Sanjay Sharma, Co-Founder of FootSecure, said, “Today, there is little to no awareness about Podiatry as a specialised medical science and there is even lower awareness about therapeutic footwear. There are tens and thousands of Diabetic / Medical / Ortho Footwear available in the market, which do not necessarily meet the therapeutic standards, and cause more harm than good. For example, a lot of people believe that the softer the soles, the better the footwear. However, that is a myth. What a lot of patients need is an insole, which is hard enough to correct the foot position and the gait and withstand the body weight. Similarly, in the case of a pathological foot, standard off- the-shelf footwear doesn’t work in protecting the feet, giving stability, or preventing any injuries. A unique foot requires bespoke footwear. That is where therapeutic or prescription footwear comes into play.”

 Today, as a phygital podiatry platform, FootSecure offers diagnosis, treatments, and surgeries addressing 300 plus foot and ankle conditions, and chronic wounds, including diabetic foot complications and sports injuries. FootSecure’s clinics and podiatry departments within hospitals provide effective diagnosis, treatments, and surgical interventions for foot, ankle, nail, and other below-knee conditions, and chronic wounds. With the launch of the prescription footwear manufacturing facility, FootSecure has achieved another milestone, adding to its goal of integrating specialised foot health solutions.

 Speaking about the new milestone, Dr Sanjay Sharma added, “We are thrilled to launch our prescription footwear manufacturing unit, which represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide tailored foot care solutions. We are also truly grateful for the support of the Karnataka Institute of Endocrinology & Research institute for their trust in our venture. I truly believe that good quality, affordable, and well-designed prescription footwear can not only help in reducing pain and improve healing but can also help enhance mobility and drastically improve the quality of life of patients with various foot conditions. Our next step towards making these products truly accessible to all is the launch of our application which will allow clinicians to upload clinical parameters for making custom footwear. Our investment in this initiative reflects our commitment to innovation and excellence in podiatric care.”

 Set up with an initial investment of INR 30 Lakhs, FootSecure’s prescription footwear manufacturing facility offers carefully designed footwear based on the pathology and biomechanics of the foot, ensuring stability, injury prevention, and comfort. The uniqueness of the footwear lies not only in its custom fit but also in the quality of the materials used. Currently, FootSecure offers six models, with four options for women and two for men, starting from INR 2000/- onwards. The advanced customisations offered are also comprehensive and include the outer sole, midsole, insole, and uppers, most of which are particularly beneficial for patients with aches and pain in the foot, diabetes, arthritis, congenital foot disorders, post-accident foot deformities, and post-surgical foot anomalies. The manufacturing facility has the capacity to produce up to 300 pairs of custom offloading footwear per day. Currently, patients are required to physically visit any FootSecure centre in Bangalore and share details and prescriptions for their custom offloading footwear. However, by September, FootSecure aims to launch an app where customers and clinicians from across the country can upload their requirements and have custom offloading footwear created to match their needs.

 Besides the custom footwear app, FootSecure also has a proprietary digital ecosystem, Wound360, and Foot360, that empowers healthcare providers with guidelines and a vast knowledge base for diagnosis, treatment, support, and rehabilitation. The advanced, easy-to-use solutions integrate diagnostic devices, AI-enabled chatbots, and mobile triage and tele-podiatry, facilitating comprehensive foot health and wound care management.

 Committed to growth, FootSecure plans to expand into new geographies and introduce innovative solutions, services, and products. By 2025, the company aims to establish India’s first dedicated podiatry hospital and launch a brand of specialised therapeutic footwear designed by medical experts from India and Australia.