Forefoot ulcer risk is associated with foot type in patients with diabetes and neuropathy

Diabetic foot ulcers: Classification, risk factors and management

Diabetic foot ulceration is a devastating complication of diabetes that is associated with infection, amputation, and death, and is affecting increasing numbers of patients with diabetes mellitus. The pathogenesis of foot ulcers is complex, and different factors play major roles in different stages. The refractory nature of foot ulcer is reflected in that even after healing there is still a high recurrence rate and amputation rate, which means that management and nursing plans need to be considered carefully. The importance of establishment of measures for prevention and management of DFU has been emphasized. Therefore, a validated and appropriate DFU classification matching the progression is necessary for clinical diagnosis and management. In the first part of this review, we list several commonly used classification systems and describe their application conditions, scope, strengths, and limitations; in the second part, we briefly introduce the common risk factors for DFU, such as neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, foot deformities, diabetes complications, and obesity. Focusing on the relationship between the risk factors and DFU progression may facilitate prevention and timely management; in the last part, we emphasize the importance of preventive education, characterize several of the most frequently used management approaches, including glycemic control, exercise, offloading, and infection control, and call for taking into account and weighing the quality of life during the formulation of treatment plans. Multidisciplinary intervention and management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) based on the effective and systematic combination of these three components will contribute to the prevention and treatment of DFUs, and improve their prognosis.

Clinical Efficacy of a 3D Foot Scanner app for the Fitting of Therapeutic Footwear in Persons with Diabetes in Remission: A Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trial

To evaluate the ability of high-risk patients with diabetes in remission to select proper therapeutic footwear (TF) and validate a novel 3D foot scanner app for selecting the proper fitting TF. We conducted a randomized and controlled clinical trial enrolling 30 patients with a previously healed diabetic foot ulcer carried out in a specialized diabetic foot unit between November 2021 and June 2022. All patients were recommended to TF with extra depth volume and rocker sole. The control group could acquire the TF size and model according to aesthetic preferences, while the experimental group had to acquire a specific size and model according to the result of a novel mobile app 3D feet scan. TF was recommended to change when the ill-fitting reasons were found, excessive length or tightness or compromise with toes. The primary outcome measure was the requirement of TF change after prescription because of ill-fitting. A total of seven patients required TF change, one of them (6.7%) in the experimental group and six patients (40%) in the control group (p = .031, 95% CI [0.011-1.04]). Reasons for ill-fitting were as follows: four patients due to excessive length and three patients due to toe compromise. The relative risk reduction for the need to change the TF via the foot scan compared to the control group was 83%, and the number needed to treat was 20. High-risk patients with diabetes tend to select TF with inadequate fitting (length or capacity), and they should be guided hand to hand to acquire proper TF.

Foot deformities in patients with diabetic mellitus (with and without peripheral neuropathy)

BACKGROUND

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common complications in diabetes mellitus. It is the disorder that most commonly affects the feet of people with diabetes. The aim of the present study is to determine the relationship between DPN and the presence of deformities in the foot.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A descriptive observational study was conducted of 111 patients diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) type 1 or 2. All participants were aged at least 18 years and were previously informed in detail about the aims and procedures of the study.

RESULTS

Regarding the presence of DPN, the only significant relationships were found for the right foot with the deformity of the second toe (claw, hammer or mallet) (p = 0.017, OR 0.29 [0.10-0.83]) and for the left foot with the deformity of the second toe (p = 0.048; OR: 0.37 [0.14-1.01]), third toe (p = 0.012; OR: 0.29 [0.11-0.79]) and the presence of hallux extensus (p = 0.05; OR: 8.27 [1.05-64.98]).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant number of foot deformities were observed among these patients with DM, regardless of the presence of DPN. These deformities should be carefully evaluated in order to determine the most appropriate treatment at an early stage, which will reduce the risk of ulceration. Although it should be use with caution to be transferrable to the general population with peripheral neuropathy.

Importance of Footwear Outsole Rigidity in Improving Spatiotemporal Parameters in Patients with Diabetes and Previous Forefoot Ulcerations

We aimed to identify if any differences existed in spatiotemporal parameters during gait among different densities of rocker soles in patients with a history of neuropathic ulcerations and the differences in comfort between shoe conditions. This study was a cross-sectional study of 24 patients with diabetes and a history of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Spatiotemporal parameters (duration of stance phase (ms), stride length (cm), and step velocity (m/s)) were analyzed in barefoot, semirigid outsole, and rigid outsole footwear conditions. A dynamic pressure measurement system (Footscan^® system, RSscan International, Olen, Belgium) was used to assess shoe conditions. We also analyzed differences in comfort between the shoe conditions using a visual analog scale. A Wilcoxon test for paired samples was used to assess gait differences. Result showed that a rigid outsole causes changes in the subphases of the stance phase (p < 0.001; Cohen d = 0.6) compared to a semirigid outsole. Stride length (p < 0.001; Cohen d = 0.66) and step velocity were significantly longer (p < 0.001; Cohen d = 2.03) with the use of rigid outsole footwear. A rigid rocker sole reduces the time of the stance phase, in addition to increasing the stride length and velocity of step in patients with a previous history of DFUs.

Stiffness degree of ankle range of motion in diabetic patients with atypical amputation

SUMMARY In diabetics, foot deformities are risk factors that increase the risk of amputation as a result of developing ulcers. However, knowledge of the influence of plantar stiffness is still limited. The main objective was to describe connections between the degree of stiffness of the ankle, atypical amputation, and the Foot Posture Index (FPI). METHODS 62 diabetic patients, 58 with type 2 and 4 with type 1 (average age 63.35 years) were included. Records of foot deformities were included; A range of motion test of the ankle joint was used to determine the degree of stiffness. An exploratory analysis of the association of foot position and the degree of rigidity was performed. RESULTS The dorsal flexion range of the ankle was 9.6 ± 5.1 0, 13.8 ± 5.9 0 and 17.2 ± 6.5 0 and 20.5 ± 6.8 0 to 45, 67, 89 and 111 N respectively in the amputated feet., And 14 patients (22.58%) had a high level of pronation of IPF with an average value of 3.7 ± 2.629, CI (3.032.-4.367) in amputated feet compared to non-amputees. We use the device “Iowa ankle range of motion” (IAROM) to determine the differences in ankle stiffness. Proper IPF was associated with the presence of amputation and an increase in stiffness CONCLUSIONS There was an increase in the degree of limitation of movement of the ankle, as a greater force was applied. Comparing FPI between the groups, there was a higher frequency of prone feet in the group of amputees

Foot Shape and Asymmetry in the Charcot Foot: Assessment Using the Foot Posture Index

BACKGROUND

Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN), or the Charcot foot, is a complication usually associated with diabetes that frequently results in changes in foot shape and structure that have an effect on function and risk of ulceration. This study aimed to assess foot shape and asymmetry in CN using the Foot Posture Index (FPI-6).

METHODS

Case notes of patients with CN seen in a diabetic orthotic clinic were reviewed, and available FPI-6 data were analyzed. A comparison group of patients with diabetes without CN was also identified. Groups were compared according to published ranges of foot posture and asymmetry using the Fisher exact test.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients with CN with 28 affected feet and a comparison group of 27 patients with diabetes only were identified. There was large variation in FPI-6 scores in affected (1 to 12) and unaffected (-1 to 10) feet. Mean scores for affected feet (6.82) and unaffected feet (5.05) differed significantly (P = .005). Considering all FPI-6 scores as positive numbers to indicate mean absolute difference between affected and unaffected feet, CN-affected feet differed by a mean of 3.00 points from unaffected feet. Patients in the CN group were less likely to have asymmetry in the normal range than the comparison group (P = .0146).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides new data on foot shape after CN. Patients with CN have feet that are significantly asymmetrical, and the affected foot may be more pronated or supinated. Feet affected by CN are characterized by shape, which is more frequently outside the normal range. The FPI-6 may be suitable for more widespread use in assessment and outcome measurement.

Clinical efficacy of therapeutic footwear with a rigid rocker sole in the prevention of recurrence in patients with diabetes mellitus and diabetic polineuropathy: A randomized clinical trial

Background

Therapeutic footwear becomes the first treatment line in the prevention of diabetic foot ulcer and future complications of diabetes. Previous studies and the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot have described therapeutic footwear as a protective factor to reduce the risk of re-ulceration. In this study, we aimed to analyze the efficacy of a rigid rocker sole to reduce the recurrence rate of plantar ulcers in patients with diabetic foot.

Methods

Between June 2016 and December 2017, we conducted a randomized controlled trial in a specialized diabetic foot unit.

Participants and intervention

Fifty-one patients with diabetic neuropathy who had a recently healed plantar ulcer were randomized consecutively into the following two groups: therapeutic footwear with semi-rigid sole (control) or therapeutic footwear with a rigid rocker sole (experimental). All patients included in the study were followed up for 6 months (one visit each 30 ± 2 days) or until the development of a recurrence event.

Main outcome and measure

Primary outcome measure was recurrence of ulcers in the plantar aspect of the foot.

Findings

A total of 51 patients were randomized to the control and experimental groups. The median follow-up time was 26 [IQR—4.4—26.1] weeks for both groups. On an intention-to-treat basis, 16 (64%) and 6 (23%) patients in the control and experimental groups had ulcer recurrence, respectively. Among the group with >60% adherence to therapeutic footwear, multivariate analysis showed that the rigid rocker sole improved ulcer recurrence-free survival time in diabetes patients with polyneuropathy and DFU history (P = 0.019; 95% confidence interval, 0.086–0.807; hazard ratio, 0.263).

Conclusions

We recommend the use of therapeutic footwear with a rigid rocker sole in patients with diabetes with polyneuropathy and history of diabetic foot ulcer to reduce the risk of plantar ulcer recurrence.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02995863.

Digital Deformity Assessment Prior to Percutaneous Flexor Tenotomy for Managing Diabetic Foot Ulcers on the Toes

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of digital deformities in patients with diabetes mellitus according to the McGlamry classification and relate the types of digital deformities with the history of digital ulcer. A cross-sectional study was performed in the diabetic foot unit between September 2016 and September 2017. All consecutive patients were classified by digital deformities according to the McGlamry classification (flexor stabilization, flexor substitution, and extensor substitution) using slow-motion videos. In all patients, the Foot Posture Index 6 was performed and previous toe ulceration, toe calluses, and nail dystrophy were evaluated. A total of 142 feet were evaluated, in which 29 (20.27%) feet did not show dynamic deformities, 65 (57.5%) were classified as flexor stabilization, 9 (8%) as flexor substitution, and 39 (34.5%) as extensor substitution. In total, 23% the feet with previous ulcer were classified as extensor substitution. A previous toe ulcer on the tip (p = .033; confidence interval [CI] 1.06 to 4.99; odds ratio [OR] 2.3), pronated foot according to the Foot Posture Index 6 (p = .048; 95% CI 0.9 to 8.9; OR 2.9), and callus on the tip (p = .002; 95% CI 1.47 to 6.41; OR 3.07) were associated with flexor stabilization deformities. Flexor stabilization, associated with the pronated foot, was the most prevalent dynamic deformity. Extensor substitution was present in approximately 40% of the patients and in 20% of the patients with previous ulcer, in whom flexor tenotomy could aggravate the digital deformity. An evaluation of dynamic deformities during gait should be included as a presurgical assessment to achieve successful surgical results.

Plantar pressures are higher in cases with diabetic foot ulcers compared to controls despite a longer stance phase duration

BACKGROUND

Current international guidelines advocate achieving at least a 30 % reduction in maximum plantar pressure to reduce the risk of foot ulcers in people with diabetes. However, whether plantar pressures differ in cases with foot ulcers to controls without ulcers is not clear. The aim of this study was to assess if plantar pressures were higher in patients with active plantar diabetic foot ulcers (cases) compared to patients with diabetes without a foot ulcer history (diabetes controls) and people without diabetes or a foot ulcer history (healthy controls).

METHODS

Twenty-one cases with diabetic foot ulcers, 69 diabetes controls and 56 healthy controls were recruited for this case-control study. Plantar pressures at ten sites on both feet and stance phase duration were measured using a pre-established protocol. Primary outcomes were mean peak plantar pressure, pressure-time integral and stance phase duration. Non-parametric analyses were used with Holm's correction to correct for multiple testing. Binary logistic regression models were used to adjust outcomes for age, sex and body mass index. Median differences with 95 % confidence intervals and Cohen's d values (standardised mean difference) were reported for all significant outcomes.

RESULTS

The majority of ulcers were located on the plantar surface of the hallux and toes. When adjusted for age, sex and body mass index, the mean peak plantar pressure and pressure-time integral of toes and the mid-foot were significantly higher in cases compared to diabetes and healthy controls (p < 0.05). The stance phase duration was also significantly higher in cases compared to both control groups (p < 0.05). The main limitations of the study were the small number of cases studied and the inability to adjust analyses for multiple factors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that plantar pressures are higher in cases with active diabetic foot ulcers despite having a longer stance phase duration which would be expected to lower plantar pressure. Whether plantar pressure changes can predict ulcer healing should be the focus of future research. These results highlight the importance of offloading feet during active ulceration in addition to before ulceration.