This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by McPoil, T. G. Articles by Cornwall, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by McPoil, T. G. Articles by Cornwall, M.

The Distribution of Plantar Pressures in American Indians with Diabetes Mellitus

Thomas G. McPoil, PhD, PT, ATC^*, Wesley Yamada, DPM, Wayne Smith, MEd, PT, ATC, SCS and Mark Cornwall, PhD, PT, CPed^*

^* Professor and Co-director, Gait Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, PO Box 15105, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011.
Chief of Podiatric Services, Hu Hu Kam Medical Center, Gila River Indian Community, Sacaton, AZ.
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, Arizona School of Health Sciences, Phoenix, AZ.

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude and duration of plantar pressures acting on the feet of American Indians with diabetes mellitus. A secondary purpose was to determine whether differences in the range of motion of the ankle and first metatarsophalangeal joints existed between American Indians with and without diabetes. Three groups of American Indian subjects were tested: a control group (n = 20); a group with diabetes but no peripheral neuropathy (n = 24); and a group with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy (n = 21). A floor-mounted pressure sensor platform was used to collect plantar pressure data while subjects walked barefoot. The results indicated that American Indians with diabetes have 1) a pattern of peak plantar pressure similar to patterns previously reported for non–American Indians with diabetes and 2) a reduction in ankle and first metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion in comparison with nondiabetic American Indians. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 91(6): 280-287, 2001)