The Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR) is located at the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine, North Chicago IL. With more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and 30 funded research proposals, CLEAR  is amongst the most active groups of its kind in the world. The key areas of current interest include:

1. ✦Pathogenesis/Epidemiology of diabetic foot complications and the impact of these complications on minority populations
   

1. ✦Prediction and prevention of diabetic foot wounds merging a variety of techniques including:
   

2. •Reproducible gait laboratory parameters (plantar pressure, 3-D kinematics)
   

3. •Activity monitoring using sophisticated accelerometer/pedometer technology
   

4. •Personal infrared dermal thermometry / thermography
   

5. •Merging these modalities with emerging telemedical applications
   

1. ✦Treatment and management of diabetic foot infections
   

1. ✦Assessment of Advanced Wound Care Devices/Dressings:
   

2. •CLEAR is an active participant in the assessment and development of wound healing systems which reduce demand on patients, caregivers, and healthcare groups while speeding healing and reducing rates of infection and amputation.
   

1. ✦Classification of diabetic foot wounds:
   

2. •The University of Texas Wound Classification System, developed and validated by members of CLEAR, has formed a key model for the World Health Organization's International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot wound classification system.
   

1. ✦Classification of overall foot risk and appropriate referral/clinic management
   

1. ✦Development of easily applicable pressure offloading techniques:
   

2. •Scholl's CLEAR is the originator of the “Instant” total contact cast, a modified offloading technique which greatly simplifies the act of offloading and (more importantly) adherence to care.
   

1. ✦Classification and assessment of outcomes of prophylactic diabetic foot surgery:
   

2. •Scholl's CLEAR  has developed the first Diabetic Foot Surgery Classification System and is actively involved in better quantifying indications for and definitions of success in this rapidly evolving area.