Startup Footsecure is revolutionising foot care in India, aiming to reduce lower limb amputations in diabetic patients and accelerate sports injury recovery. Dr Sanjay Sharma, Co-founder, FootSecure reveals more about the startup’s investment plans in the Indian market
There has been a spurt in lower limb amputation in diabetic patients. What role is FootSecure playing in this regard to prevent amputation?
Globally, a limb is lost to diabetes every 20 seconds. In India, there are approximately 140,000 below-knee or above-knee amputations and about 1.4 million minor amputations annually. Statistics indicate that around 14 per cent of patients with diabetic foot ulcers will undergo amputation.
The inception of FootSecure stemmed from an identified need to create a strong ecosystem in the country to help reduce the amputation rates and other avoidable complexities of the foot and ankle condition. And we have been able to bring about a small change! Since its inception, FootSecure has reduced the amputation rate to 2.63 per cent, nearly ten times lower than the national average for diabetes-related amputations. This significant reduction has been achieved through advanced dressing technologies, regenerative medicine, and biomechanically designed offloading footwear. Additionally, we utilise the science of biomechanics to design and provide effective offloading footwear, which helps prevent the degeneration or deterioration of ulcers, thereby reducing the need for further amputations.
Another issue that we identified was the access to quality podiatric services. Patients previously had to visit multiple locations to treat foot and ankle ailments or diabetic foot conditions. Typically, a patient would consult a diabetologist, then a podiatric surgeon, followed by numerous investigations such as ABI, TBI, and plantar pressure scans, often unavailable in large or corporate hospitals. Additionally, for offloading footwear, patients had to travel to another location.
Through FootSecure, we have consolidated all aspects of foot and ankle care under one roof. The strategy involved integrating podiatry departments within established hospitals, leveraging both the hospital’s infrastructure and the advanced diagnostics and therapeutics that FootSecure provides.
How has been the journey since its inception?
We commenced operations in 2019 in Whitefield, Bengaluru, and subsequently expanded to Malleswaram. Currently, we operate in five hospitals across Bengaluru. Like any startup, our journey has experienced its ups and downs. Initially, there was a lack of understanding about podiatry—what it entails and its significance. This confusion extended beyond patients to medical professionals, who often struggled to recognise the necessity of podiatric interventions for diabetic foot conditions, sports injuries, and other common ailments.
Today, we are proud to be ranked among India’s top 10 podiatric service providers.
What are your plans for the Indian market?
Given India’s limited number of podiatric surgeons, we aim to develop digital interventions to make quality podiatric care accessible to a wider audience. Our strategy includes the development of Android and Apple applications specifically designed for wound care and offloading footwear. These apps will allow patients from any location within India to receive appropriate medical advice regarding their wounds, order offloading footwear conveniently, and have it delivered directly to their doorsteps.
The apps will feature user-friendly interfaces and include functionalities such as virtual consultations, detailed guides for wound management, and personalised recommendations for offloading footwear.
Furthermore, integrating these digital solutions with our physical clinics ensures a seamless continuum of care. Patients can start their treatment journey through the app and, if necessary, follow up with in-person consultations at our clinics. This comprehensive approach leverages technology to bridge the gap in podiatric services across India, ensuring more people receive the specialised care they need.
Do you have any plans to venture into the global arena?
We aim to enhance our digital footprint. We describe our model as ‘phygital’; combining physical and digital elements to deliver comprehensive care. Our physical presence will remain in India, particularly in Bengaluru, where we plan to establish a specialised podiatry hospital in South Asia, the first of its kind. This hospital will be a central hub for advanced podiatric care, including surgeries and specialised treatments.
Our digital initiatives, including the Wound360 and Foot360 apps, aim to extend our reach to a global population seeking quality care for their foot and ankle problems. These apps will offer virtual consultations, personalised treatment plans, and continuous monitoring of patients' conditions, ensuring they receive expert care regardless of location. By integrating physical and digital healthcare, we can provide a seamless and effective treatment experience. Our digital platforms will cater to patients in remote areas and support ongoing care and follow-up.
This phygital approach allows us to bring high-quality podiatric care to a broader audience, enhance patient outcomes, and expand our impact globally.
What kind of funding have you received so far?
To date, our expansion has been largely organic. We have grown from one centre to five centres without external funding, relying on our resources to develop our digital interventions.
As a startup, what challenges do you face in a competitive market?
The primary challenge we face when raising funds is that most investors do not fully understand the synergy between digital and physical healthcare models. Most investors are either focussed on traditional brick-and-mortar setups or entirely digital platforms, making it difficult for them to appreciate the benefits of integrating both approaches.
Despite this funding challenge, our ability to grow organically demonstrates the strength of our model and the demand for our services. A successful healthcare venture must integrate physical presence and digital interventions to offer comprehensive and accessible care.
Can you elaborate on your investment plans?
Our investment strategy prioritises the expansion of both our physical and digital presence. Apart from the specialised podiatry hospital we plan to establish in Bengaluru, we are also intensifying efforts to enhance our digital platforms. This integrated approach enables us to offer advanced treatments and interventions while extending our reach to a wider demographic.
By investing in physical infrastructure and digital solutions, we aim to bridge gaps in access to podiatric care and cater to the diverse needs of our patient base. This investment strengthens our position in the market and reinforces our dedication to innovation and excellence in healthcare delivery.
What are your views on the awareness of podiatry and its growth potential in India?
Awareness of podiatry in India remains considerably low, leading to suboptimal management of foot-related issues. Typically, patients experiencing common complaints such as heel pain tend to seek assistance from orthopaedic surgeons or general physicians, who may overlook crucial factors such as posture, gait, or footwear, which podiatrists deem integral. Podiatry employs a holistic approach, evaluating body weight distribution, walking patterns, and footwear suitability to address various conditions, ranging from childhood ailments like clubfoot to geriatric foot atrophy and pregnancy-related foot discomfort.
Elevating awareness among patients and clinicians regarding the multifaceted benefits of podiatric medicine is imperative for its expansion and acceptance within the Indian healthcare landscape. By advocating for a more comprehensive understanding of foot health and the role of podiatry, we can enhance patient outcomes and promote overall well-being across diverse demographics.
What is your role at FootSecure, and how are you helping to build a strong ecosystem for the podiatric discipline?
As the founder of FootSecure, my overarching vision is to create a robust ecosystem for podiatric care spanning across South Asia and the GCC countries. Our strategic blueprint entails the establishment of a state-of-the-art podiatry hospital in Bengaluru, serving as the central hub of our operations. This hospital will operate as a focal point, supported by a network of empanelled doctors dispersed across various locations, forming the spokes of our comprehensive care model.
Leveraging our digital platform, these affiliated practitioners will deliver a spectrum of services, encompassing wound care, customised footwear, and insoles, ensuring accessibility and convenience for patients. Furthermore, surgical interventions will be centralised at our Bengaluru facility, ensuring a specialised and cohesive approach to podiatric treatment. By amalgamating physical infrastructure with digital innovation, we aim to redefine podiatric healthcare delivery, optimising patient outcomes and fostering a culture of excellence across our expansive network.
