Compliance with the use of therapeutic footwear (TF) aimed at preventing diabetic foot ulcers remains notably insufficient. The main goal of this research was to assess public awareness of ulcer formation and/or recurrence risks in relation to footwear selection. The secondary objective was to analyze how patients’ footwear choices align with their individual risk levels. From 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2018, forty podiatrists took part in the study, completing six-section forms that included demographic data, risk grading, footwear specifications, and a knowledge survey. A total of 1507 patients were enrolled, excluding those with active ulcers. Among them, 43% were classified as risk level 0, 19% as level 1, 19% as level 2, and 19% as level 3. Foot deformities were observed in 58% of participants. Although nearly half of the high-risk patients were aware of their ulceration risk, most failed to comply with recommendations. Only 36% of patients in risk class 3 wore footwear suitable for their risk level. Footwear choice was generally poor, emphasizing the urgent need for better education and adherence to footwear guidelines.
