Plantar pressure gradient angles to evaluate risk of diabetic foot ulcer

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers remain one of the most serious complications of diabetes mellitus. Peak pressure gradient (PPG) has demonstrated to contribute to the development of diabetic foot ulcers. This study used the time-varying directions of instantaneous PPG angle to evaluate the risk of diabetic foot ulcers. A total of 14 participants were studied, including 7 diabetics and 7 non-diabetic controls. The peak plantar pressure (PPP), PPG, and PPG angle at the great toe were calculated from plantar pressures obtained by the F-scan plantar pressure measurement system during walking. The results showed that the PPP and PPG in the diabetics were significantly higher than in the controls, but the PPG angle in the diabetics was significantly lower than in the controls. This study provides evidence that the diabetics are associated with higher PPP and PPG and lower PPG angle as compared to non-diabetics. The proposed PPG angle may improve our understanding of the influence of PPG on the risk for diabetic foot ulcers. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.