Digital transformation of the customised medical-grade footwear industry

New technologies offer opportunities for industries to innovate through digital transformation (DT). Digital transformation enables better, cheaper, faster, and more customised solutions to be offered to clients.
Pedorthists deal with various lower limb conditions that often require personalised, custom-made orthopedic appliances, including customised medical-grade footwear and orthotics. The success of these devices depends on the comprehensive assessment of the lower limb and designing the devices that are patient-centric and meet the goals of the patients. Pedorthists employ various tools and techniques to capture the foot and leg shape data and relevant biomechanical information to make an appropriate treatment plan and subsequently design and manufacture the device. The techniques for the aforementioned operations have been evolving over the years, and various digital technology interventions have been seen in pedorthics industry in recent years as seen in other parallel industries also.
The digital transformation of the customised medical-grade footwear industry is set to go through a digital transformation with the introduction and expansion of digital scanning equipment and additive manufacturing (3D printing). Digital scanning of problem feet, the first step of DT of supply chain (SC) processes, assists in securing a more accurate shape and weight distribution than existing technologies.
Studies examining digital scanning and measuring applications were conducted. The assessment of software, measurement techniques, and other quality characteristics of mobile foot-measuring apps was conducted. We present the findings of this research.
However, the timing of digital transformation is subject to the technology readiness of industries and individual businesses. A study examining the technology readiness of podiatrists, pedorthists, orthotists and orthopaedic practitioners to begin the digital transformation journey has commenced, and we plan to ask footcare health professionals to complete a survey questionnaire or participate in a semi-structured interview.