Short-time lower leg ischemia reduces plantar foot sensitivity

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of short-time blood flow occlusion on plantar foot vibration sensitivity of healthy young adults. 39 subjects (20 female; 19 male) participated in the study. Blood flow reduction was evoked with a pneumatic tourniquet, placed about 10cm above the popliteus cavity. Vibration thresholds (200Hz) were measured at three anatomical locations of the plantar foot (heel, first metatarsal head and hallux) in three different cuff pressure conditions: baseline (0mmHg), low (50mmHg) and high (150mmHg). Each pressure condition was held for 4min prior to vibration threshold measurements. No reperfusion time was allowed between conditions. The results show a significant increase in vibration thresholds measured at all anatomical locations in the high pressure condition (150mmHg), whereas low pressure (50mmHg) caused a significant threshold increase only at the hallux, compared to baseline (0mmHg) measurements. Short-time blood flow occlusion seems to affect the afferent transmission of vibration stimuli from Vater–Pacini corpuscles, resulting in decreased plantar foot sensitivity. The present study provides an insight into initial adaptations caused by reduced blood flow in plantar foot sensitivity of healthy young adults.