Article

The ankle-foot complex plays an important role in the mechanics of
postural control. The objectives of this study were to compare the biomechanical
properties of the ankle-foot complex of people with diabetes who had or did not
have peripheral neuropathy with those healthy individuals ; and to examine its
correlation with postural control. METHODS: A total of 64 individuals
participated in this study: 9 people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, 23
diabetes without neuropathy, and 32 healthy controls. A hand-held ultrasound
indentation system was used to assess the soft tissue biomechanical properties of
the ankle-foot complex. The Sensory Organization test was performed using The
Smart EquiTest system to assess postural control. FINDINGS: The soft tissue of
the Achilles tendon was significantly thickened in all individuals with diabetes
(P<0.001), and was associated with the vestibular ratio (r=0.40; P<0.05). The
Young's modulus of the plantar soft tissue was significantly increased in the
diabetic neuropathy group (all P<0.05). Also, the Young's modulus of the plantar
soft tissue at the first metatarsal head was positively correlated with the
somatosensory ratio (r=0.46;
P<0.05) and visual ratio (r=0.39; P<0.05).
INTERPRETATION: Diabetic patients with or without neuropathy had a thicker
Achilles tendon and stiffer plantar soft tissue than the healthy control. Changes
in the biomechanical properties of the ankle-foot complex were correlated with
the use of vestibular, somatosensory or visual inputs to maintain balance in
individuals with diabetes.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS