Plantar pressure changes in diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Abstract

Objective To assess the plantar pressure changes in diabetic peripheral neuropathy compared to healthy condition. Patients and methods The study was performed with 150 participants containing 42 nondiabetic, 66 diabetic without peripheral neuropathy and 42 patients with diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy. Using the plantar pressure platform, dynamic pressure variables such as peak plantar pressures and pressure–time integral (PTI) were measured in each foot. Results We have divided the participants into three groups: group A, healthy individuals (n = 42); group B, those with diabetes mellitus without peripheral neuropathy and plantar foot ulceration (n = 66); and group C, diabetic peripheral neuropathy with plantar foot ulceration (n = 42). There is no significant difference in peak plantar pressures between groups A and B, and between groups A and C (P Conclusion There were significant correlations between plantar pressures in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Furthermore, plantar pressure can be helpful in detecting the possible sites for plantar foot ulcerations.