Article

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of foot morphology, related
with respect to diabetes and peripheral neuropathy in altering foot kinematics
and plantar pressure during gait. Healthy and diabetic subjects with or without
neuropathy with different foot types were analyzed. Three dimensional
multisegment foot kinematics and plantar pressures were assessed on 120 feet: 40
feet (24 cavus, 20 with valgus heel and 11 with hallux valgus) in the control
group, 80 feet in the diabetic (25 cavus 13 with valgus heel and 13 with hallux
valgus) and the neuropathic groups (28 cavus, 24 with valgus heel and 18 with
hallux valgus). Subjects were classified according to their foot morphology
allowing further comparisons among the subgroups with the same foot morphology.
When comparing neuropathic subjects with cavus foot, valgus heel with controls
with the same foot morphology, important differences were noticed: increased
dorsiflexion and peak plantar pressure on the forefoot (P<0.05), decreased
contact surface on the hindfoot (P<0.03). While results indicated the important
role of foot morphology in altering both kinematics and plantar pressure in
diabetic subjects, diabetes appeared to further contribute in altering foot
biomechanics. Surprisingly, all the diabetic subjects with normal foot arch or
with valgus hallux were no more likely to display significant differences in
biomechanics parameters than controls. This data could be considered a valuable
support for future research on diabetic foot function, and in planning preventive
interventions.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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