Differences in plantar pressure between the diabetic and healthy subjects

Since varied thresholds were reported in the literature and in what range of peak pressure is safe was not answered, the aim of this study was to compare the plantar pressure between the diabetic and healthy subjects and then to find the risk threshold of pressure for diabetic patients. 177 volunteers (83 diabetic patients and 94 control ones) were recruited and their plantar pressure were measured by the Emed pressure system. Plantar region was divided into seven regions: big toe, MTH1-5 and MF, under which mean pressure (kPa) was calculated. The results show that major variations existed and mean pressure of the patients was 2.5% lower than that of healthy counterparts; however, the law of differences between the diabetic patients and healthy ones in 3%, 50% and 96% percentile level could not be found. Overall, attention should be paid to changes in feet of diabetic patients, who must receive appropriate treatment when their mean pressure exceeds 100kPa (about 10N/cm2).