Limited joint mobility and plantar pressure in type 1 diabetic subjects in India.

AIM Limited joint mobility and plantar pressure in the foot has not been assessed in type 1 diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the joint mobility and plantar foot pressure in Asian Indian type 1 diabetic subjects and to see its association with duration of diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS The joint mobility and plantar pressure were measured in 115 consecutive subjects attending the foot clinic. The study groups were: Control- non diabetic controls (n=40) (M:F 19:21) and type 1 diabetic patients (n=75) (M:F 42:33). Joint mobility was assessed using a goniometer at two sites, in the subtalar joint and in the hallux. Plantar pressure was measured using the RS-Scan platform system. Data obtained on the metatarsal heads were used for analysis. RESULTS Patients with type 1 diabetes had significantly lesser joint mobility (p < 0.0001) and higher plantar pressure (p < 0.0001) compared with the control group. Duration of diabetes had an inverse association with joint mobility (p < 0.0001). The degree of joint mobility was more restricted in patients with longer duration of diabetes. Plantar pressure increased with increasing duration of diabetes. CONCLUSION In conclusion, type 1 diabetic patients in India had limited joint mobility which decreased further with longer duration of diabetes and they had high plantar pressure also.