Decrease in Talocrural Joint Mobility is Related to Alteration of the Arterial Blood Flow Velocity in the Lower Limb in Diabetic Women

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to correlate the talocrural range of motion (ROM) and blood flow velocity in the lower limb arteries of diabetic women. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty women were divided into a control group (G1), consisting of 15 sedentary right-handed subjects (41.27 ± 7.24 years old) who had no history of blood system disorder, and a diabetes group (G2), consisting of 15 sedentary right-handed subjects (57.87 ± 6.20 years old) who had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Talocrural ROM was measured by using goniometry for dorsiflexion and plantar flexion movements. In addition, blood flow velocity of the dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial, and popliteal arteries was also assessed. [Results] No significant differences were found between the groups by comparing talocrural ROM and arterial blood velocity. However, a significant association was found in G2 only between the following variables: plantar flexion and blood flow velocity of the dorsalis pedis artery (rs = 0.57), plantar flexion and blood flow velocity of the popliteal artery (rs = 0.50), and dorsiflexion and blood flow velocity of the posterior tibial artery (rs = 0.57). [Conclusion] The decrease in talocrural ROM is related to a decrease in the arterial blood flow velocity in diabetic women.