Normative Values for Foot Sensation: Challenging the 5.07 Monofilament

16 Objective: This study develops normalized values for sensation in the feet of healthy subjects. Knowledge relative to normal sensory perception and subsequent loss will enable clinicians to differentiate between normal and abnormal findings, especially in patients with or at risk for diabetes. Methods: Subjects were over age 18 and without medical complications that might compromise sensory perception. Subjects were divided into three age groups: 18-34, 35-64, and 65 & older. With the subject's eyes closed, Semmes Weinstein monofilaments were applied to 10 sites per foot and progressively lightened each time the subject correctly identified the monofilament at 10/10 sites, until the subject's sensory threshold was reached. The threshold was defined as the lightest monofilament sensed at all 10 sites. Additionally, the researcher ranked the condition of the subject's feet on a 1-3 scale, and the subject completed a questionnaire regarding their average weekly frequency of sandal use.001) different than the other groups. The older two groups did not significantly differ. There was a significant (-.445, n=60, p<0..0001) negative correlation between the frequency of sandal use and foot sensitivity. Conclusions: Foot sensitivity decreases with age, but decline initiates earlier than anticipated. Loss of peripheral nerve fibers and integumentary sensory organs are implicated as the cause for sensory loss. Additionally, foot sensation decreased with increased sandal use.