RelaxSan® Toe Sock
The RelaxSan® Sock represents a typical example of textile advancement, designed to give the finished product a healthy connotation, which would otherwise be impossible with the use of single-yarn fabrics and with regular socks.
Finished textile products which are obtained through the use of advanced fabrics are generally called "braces".
The bioavailability of a brace is not like that of its original single-yarn fabric, but is that of a fabric which is subjected to complex technological processes, during both the production and weaving phases.
This is how the medical devices are created, as required by the Italian Legislative Decree dated 24.2.97, which find prominent positions amongst our therapeutic instrumentation, both as preventive measures and as therapeutic supports, thereby opening the way for so-called "fabric therapy".
In effect, the RelaxSan® Sock is a medical device which has been approved by the Ministry of Health and is recognized as Class I; due to its bioavailability, it is best employed as a brace for so-called "diabetic foot", as it possesses features which render it quite suitable for this purpose
Main characteristics of RelaxSan® sock
- First of all, it is seamless, so as to avoid any possibility of causing abrasion or irritation to the skin and to the toes.
- Next is its construction, which is that of a glove, so that each toe has its own insert; this characteristic prevents friction between the toes and helps to prevent the formation of calluses and skin macerations due to excess sweating; mechanically as well, it tends to reduce toe conflicts.
- The natural cotton fibre ensures both an anallergic effect and also allows for a constant foot temperature to be maintained, thereby providing a thermoregulatory effect.
- The silver thread X-Static® was added in order to take advantage of the therapeutic and antibacterial properties which are characteristic of silver; these properties have been recognized, studied and approved for some time, especially for use in treating foot skin lesions. From a practical perspective, the presence of silver in the fabric helps to neutralize foot odour by fighting the germs which cause it and neutralizes ammonia and denatured proteins. Silver also provides for an antibacterial effect which prevents the formation of inter-digital mucus. Moreover the silver thread X-Static® have anti-static and thermo-dynamic properties, due to its thermal and electric conductivity.
- After having been put on, the sock does not exert any compression on the arch, the foot or, especially, the ankle; for this reason there is no risk of the typical tourniquet effect, which could result in circulatory stagnation and the paralysis of the skin's microcirculation.
These properties remain unaltered, even after numerous repeated washings: the only precaution which is required of the patient is to wear the sock properly, inserting each toe into its respective insert, just as he/she would do with a pair of gloves.
Summary of main healthy properties of the TOE sock RelaxSan ®:
- Antibacterial and antimycotic effect
- Anallergic effect
- Neutralization of foot odour
- Foot temperature regulation
- Moisture transpiring effect
- Sanitizing effect
- Respects blood circulation
- Reduction of toe conflict
STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF THE RELAXSAN SOCK MEDICAL AID ON THE FEET OF DIABETIC, ATHLETIC AND HEALTHY SUBJECTS
Extract from the Gasparri Panerai-Celicchi's work, in publication process.
E 'clinical study was conducted by two doctors, a surgeon and a podiatrist, on 45 people, 25 of whon are diabetic patients and 20 healthy people, including at least 10 practicing traumatic sports (running, soccer).
Patients who were taken into consideration had had the disease for at least 10 years and were considered "at risk" for the onset of trophic foot ulcers, according to the recently proposed definition of "diabetic foot" formulated by the diabetic foot Study Group, namely:
"A foot with anatomical and functional alterations caused by occlusive peripheral arteriopathy and/or by diabetic neuropathy. This surpasses the definition established according to the WHO criteria as a ‘condition of infection, ulceration and/or destruction of underlying tissues, associated with neurological abnormalities and with various degrees of lower limb peripheral vascular disease', and therefore is intended to extend the new definition of "diabetic foot" to all diabetics who, in the absence of ulcers, are nevertheless considered to be at ulcerative risk"
The healthy subjects displayed typical problems with regards to the mechanical action footwear upon the foot: Some showed signs of persistent athlete's foot, inflated-vesicle dermatomicosis or psoriasis of the sole of the foot.
The study lasted 6 months with monthly checks of patients.
Study RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
The results gathered were decisively positive from a clinical point of view, both with regards to the use of the sock for diabetic foot, as well as with regards to its use with the athletic and healthy subjects.
It was observed that, in the case of diabetic foot, the RelaxSan® Sock was particularly useful in preventing foot ulcerations, especially since it allowed the subjects greater control over situations, which are typical of neuropathy, related to pain reduction (i.e. a trivial lesion between the toes or the simple rubbing of a toe nail against a nearby toe) and above all eliminated all situations resulting from disease, failing eyesight or poor hygiene in elderly subjects.
After having verified how the use of a textile brace, such as the RelaxSan® Sock, has its own therapeutic rationale which contributes to preventing and mitigating foot damage which would otherwise threaten the health and autonomy of the patient, we can conclude that we are enthusiastic about the results obtained in all of the fields of application.