Assessment of planter pressure point distribution in normal and type-2 diabetics using F-Scanner-A preliminary report

Abstract

Background: Plantar ulcers produced by diabetic foot disease are devastating and costly. A better understanding of the ulcer-producing process is important to improve the detection of feet that are at risk and to improve intervention. In clinical practice, diabetic foot was normally screened for quantitative assessment through tuning fork and biothesiometer which uses vibration sense to assess the neuropathy. There are limited studies on the early assessment of plantar pressure distribution points in the diabetic population. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to find out the changes in plantar pressure in diabetic as compared to healthy individuals. Method: Thirty Normal individuals with a mean age (28± 10) and twenty-five diabetic individuals with a mean age (43±4) were selected for the study. The plantar pressure distribution of both populations was recorded using I-Step foot scanner in an erect standing position for 30 second on the foot scanning plate. The result analyzed using the t-test. The result analysis of the present study showed there is an early change in plantar pressure distribution in type-II diabetic patients as compared to normal individuals. Conclusion: The finding of the present study indicates that there is an early change in plantar pressure distribution in the diabetic population as compared to healthy individuals.