Diabetes Mellitus And Peripheral Neuropathy Research Articles

Heel Rise and Non-Weight-Bearing Ankle Plantar Flexion Tasks to Assess Foot and Ankle Function in People With Diabetes Mellitus and Peripheral Neuropathy.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy (DMPN), limited joint mobility, and weight-bearing on foot and ankle sagittal movements and characterize the foot and ankle position during heel rise. Sixty people with DMPN and 22 controls participated. Primary outcomes were foot (forefoot on hindfoot) and ankle (hindfoot on shank) plantar-flexion/dorsiflexion angle during 3 tasks: unilateral heel rise, bilateral heel rise, and non-weight-bearing ankle plantar flexion. A repeated-measures analysis of variance and Fisher exact test were used. Main effects of task and group were significant, but not the interaction in both foot and ankle plantar flexion. Foot and ankle plantar flexion were less in people with DMPN compared with controls in all tasks. Both DMPN and control groups had significantly less foot and ankle plantar flexion with greater weight-bearing; however, the linear trend across tasks was similar between groups. The DMPN group had a greater percentage of individuals in foot and/or ankle dorsiflexion at peak unilateral heel rise compared with controls, but the foot and ankle position was similar at peak bilateral heel rise between DMPN and control groups. Foot and ankle plantar flexion is less in people with DMPN. Less plantar flexion in non-weight-bearing suggests that people with DMPN have limited joint mobility. However, peak unilateral and bilateral heel rise is less than the available plantar flexion range of motion measured in non-weight-bearing, indicating that limited joint mobility does not limit heel rise performance. A higher frequency of people with DMPN are in foot and ankle dorsiflexion at peak unilateral heel rise compared with controls, but the position improved with lower weight-bearing. Proper resistance should be considered with physical therapist interventions utilizing heel rise because foot and ankle plantar flexion position could be improved by reducing the amount of weight-bearing.

Midfoot and ankle motion during heel rise and gait are related in people with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy

BackgroundMidfoot and ankle movement dysfunction in people with diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy (DMPN) is associated with midfoot deformity and increased plantar pressures during gait. If midfoot and ankle motion during heel rise and push-off of gait have similar mechanics, heel rise performance could be a clinically feasible way to identify abnormal midfoot and ankle function during gait. Research questionIs midfoot and ankle joint motion during a heel rise associated with midfoot and ankle motion at push-off during gait in people with DMPN? MethodsSixty adults with DMPN completed double-limb heel rise, single-limb heel rise, and walking. A modified Oxford multi-segment foot model (forefoot, hindfoot, shank) was used to analyze midfoot (forefoot on hindfoot) and ankle (hindfoot on shank) sagittal angle during heel rise and gait. Pearson correlation was used to test the relationship between heel rise and gait kinematic variables (n = 60). Additionally, we classified 60 participants into two subgroups based on midfoot and ankle position at peak heel rise: midfoot and ankle dorsiflexed (dorsiflexed; n = 23) and midfoot and ankle plantarflexed (plantarflexed; n = 20). Movement trajectories of midfoot and ankle motion during single-limb heel rise and gait of the subgroups were examined. ResultsPeak double-limb heel rise and gait midfoot and ankle angles were significantly correlated (r = 0.49 and r = 0.40, respectively). Peak single-limb heel rise and gait midfoot and ankle angles were significantly correlated (r = 0.63 and r = 0.54, respectively). The dorsiflexed subgroup, identified by heel rise performance showed greater midfoot and ankle dorsiflexion during gait compared to the plantarflexed subgroup (mean difference between subgroups: midfoot 3°, ankle 3°). SignificancePeople with DMPN who fail to plantarflex the midfoot and ankle during heel rise have difficulty plantarflexing the midfoot and ankle during gait. Utilizing a heel rise task may help identify midfoot and ankle dysfunction associated with gait in people with DMPN.

Use of time-to-boundary to assess postural instability and predict functional mobility in people with diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy

BackgroundPeople with diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy (DMPN) often have balance and mobility deficits. Time-to-boundary (TTB) is a parameter of postural control that combines position and velocity center of pressure data. While not previously investigated, assessment of TTB may provide new insight regarding postural control in people with DMPN. Research questionIs TTB reduced and related to a measure of mobility in people with DMPN? MethodsThirteen people with DMPN without fall history and 13 healthy matched controls participated in this case-control study. Participants stood in double-limb stance on a force plate. The anterior-posterior and medial-lateral center of pressure position and velocity relative to the boundaries of the base of support were used to calculate TTB (s). Lower values indicate less postural control. Time-to-failure during single-limb stance was a secondary measure of postural control. Time to complete the Timed Up and Go (TUG) was our measure of mobility. Longer TUG times correspond to decreased mobility, strength, and balance. Independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to assess group differences. Bivariate correlations between task outcomes were conducted. ResultsAnterior-posterior TTB and single-limb stance times were shorter in people with DMPN (p ≤ 0.04). TUG times were longer in the DMPN group (p = 0.04). In the DMPN group, inverse relationships were observed between TTB and TUG (anterior-posterior R2 = .34; medial-lateral R2 = .49; both p = 0.01), but not between single-limb stance times and TTB or TUG. SignificanceTTB was a sensitive measure of postural control in people with DMPN. The detected relationship between TTB and TUG newly establishes TTB as a clinically meaningful indicator of balance and function. Study findings may serve to further guide balance screening and rehabilitation efforts in people with DMPN.

Persistent inflammation with pedal osteolysis 1 year after Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy

AimsTo determine local and systemic markers of inflammation and bone mineral density (BMD) in the foot and central sites in participants with diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy (DMPN) with and without acute Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy (CN). MethodsEighteen participants with DMPN and CN and 19 participants without CN had foot temperature assessments, serum markers of inflammation [C-reactive protein, (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, (ESR)] and BMD of the foot, hip and lumbar spine at baseline and 1year follow-up. ResultsCN foot temperature difference was higher compared to DMPN controls at baseline (4.2±1.9°F vs. 1.2±0.9°F, P<0.01) and after 1year (2.9±3.2°F vs. 0.9±1.1°F, P<0.01). Serum inflammatory markers in the CN group were greater at baseline and remained elevated 1year later compared to DMPN controls (CRP, P=0.02, ESR, P=0.03). All pedal bones' BMD decreased an average of 3% in the CN foot with no changes in hip or lumbar spine. DMPN controls' foot, hip and lumbar spine BMD remained unchanged. ConclusionsLocal and systemic inflammation persists 1 year after CN with an accompanying pedal osteolysis that may contribute to mid foot deformity which is the hallmark of the chronic Charcot foot.

ID 428 – Effect of cognitive task on the maintaining of postural stability in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy

Objective To investigate the effect of cognitive task on the postural stability of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods Thirty DPN patients (aged between 55 and 65 years) and 20 matched controls took part in the investigations.The postural stability was evaluated by static posturography, during upright quiet stance with eyes closed on stable or on foam support without a secondary cognitive task condition and combined with counting backwards in steps of seven aloud or silently. Results Stabilizing effect of cognitive task on the postural stability during stance on stable support was observed, while an impaired postural stability during counting aloud than counting silently on foam support were observed. Conclusions Results indicate that control of body sway and cognitive functioning are not independent systems and a significant effect of dual cognitive task on the postural stability of patients with DPN are established and related to the difficulty of cognitive task. Count aloud focused attention on preventing errors and together with changing the proprioceptive information during stance on foam support lead to depletion the possibilities to keeping the equilibrium.

Multi-joint foot kinetics during walking in people with Diabetes Mellitus and peripheral neuropathy

Neuropathic tissue changes can alter muscle function and are a primary reason for foot pathologies in people with Diabetes Mellitus and peripheral neuropathy (DMPN). Understanding of foot kinetics in people with DMPN is derived from single-segment foot modeling approaches. This approach, however, does not provide insight into midfoot power and work. Gaining an understanding of midfoot kinetics in people with DMPN prior to deformity or ulceration may help link foot biomechanics to anticipated pathologies in the midfoot and forefoot. The purpose of this study was to evaluate midfoot (MF) and rearfoot (RF) power and work in people with DMPN and a healthy matched control group. Thirty people participated (15 DMPN and 15 Controls). An electro-magnetic tracking system and force plate were used to record multi-segment foot kinematics and ground reaction forces during walking. MF and RF power, work, and negative work ratios were calculated and compared between groups. Findings demonstrated that the DMPN group had greater negative peak power and reduced positive peak power at the MF and RF (all p≤0.05). DMPN group negative work ratios were also greater at the MF and RF [Mean difference MF: 9.9%; p=0.24 and RF: 18.8%; p<0.01]. In people with DMPN, the greater proportion of negative work may negatively affect foot structures during forward propulsion, when positive work and foot stability should predominate. Further study is recommended to determine how both MF and RF kinetics influence the development of deformity and ulceration in people with DMPN.

Individual metatarsal and forefoot kinematics during walking in people with diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy

The purpose of this study was to compare in-vivo kinematic angular excursions of individual metatarsal segments and a unified forefoot segment in people with Diabetes Mellitus and peripheral neuropathy (DMPN) without deformity or ulceration to a healthy matched control group. Thirty subjects were recruited. A five- segment foot model (1st, 3rd, and 5th metatarsals, calcaneus, tibia) was used to examine relative 3D angular excursions during the terminal stance phase of walking. Student t-tests were used to assess group differences in kinematics. Pearson correlations and cross-correlations were used to assess relationships between the motion of the individual metatarsals and the unified forefoot. Significant reductions of DMPN group sagittal plane angular excursions were detected in all individual metatarsals and the unified forefoot (p<0.01). Frontal plane 3rd metatarsal excursion was reduced (p=0.04) in the DMPN group. The 3rd and 5th metatarsal and the unified forefoot excursions were reduced (p≤0.02) in the DMPN group in the transverse plane. In both groups, coupling of individual metatarsal and unified forefoot motion was strongest in the sagittal plane. This study illustrates that multiple individual metatarsals have reduced motion in people with DMPN. Differences in the magnitude and coupling between individual metatarsal motion and unified forefoot motion supports the use of a two segment forefoot modeling approach in future kinematic analyses. Further study is recommended to determine if the observed kinematic profile is related to the development and location of deformity and tissue breakdown in people with DMPN.