Classification of Forefoot Plantar Pressure Distribution in Persons with Diabetes: A Novel Perspective for the Mechanical Management of Diabetic Foot?

Kevin Deschamps, Giovanni Arnoldo Matricali, Philip Roosen, Kaat Desloovere, Herman Bruyninckx, Pieter Spaepen, Frank Nobels, Jos Tits, Mieke Flour, Filip Staes

Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to identify groups of subjects with similar patterns of forefoot loading and verify if specific groups of patients with diabetes could be isolated from non-diabetics.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Ninety-seven patients with diabetes and 33 control participants between 45 and 70 years were prospectively recruited in two Belgian Diabetic Foot Clinics. Barefoot plantar pressure measurements were recorded and subsequently analysed using a semi-automatic total mapping technique. Kmeans cluster analysis was applied on relative regional impulses of six forefoot segments in order to pursue a classification for the control group separately, the diabetic group separately and both groups together. Cluster analysis led to identification of three distinct groups when considering only the control group. For the diabetic group, and the computation considering both groups together, four distinct groups were isolated. Compared to the cluster analysis of the control group an additional forefoot loading pattern was identified. This group comprised diabetic feet only. The relevance of the reported clusters was supported by ANOVA statistics indicating significant differences between different regions of interest and different clusters.

Conclusion/s Significance

There seems to emerge a new era in diabetic foot medicine which embraces the classification of diabetic patients according to their biomechanical profile. Classification of the plantar pressure distribution has the potential to provide a means to determine mechanical interventions for the prevention and/or treatment of the diabetic foot.

Source: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0079924

BAPO CONFERENCE

Remember to book your tickets for this years BAPO conference. If you haven't done it yet you can Register Here.
And nominations for Technician of the Year are still open if you know someone who has gone the extra mile, or deserves recognition for an excellent piece of work. Nomination Forms available here.

New Council for the Health and Care Professions Council appointed

HCPC News release

Thursday 9 January 2014

New Council for the Health and Care Professions Council appointed

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Council.  There are twelve members in total, all of whom have taken office in January 2014.  This is in line with the government recommendation that all regulatory bodies should be overseen by smaller, more 'board like' Councils.

Each Council member has been appointed for the skills they will bring, including a strong mix of governance, management and financial abilities.  The new Council has also been drawn from the professions we regulate as well as lay backgrounds to bring a diverse mix of experience and knowledge. The full list of appointees, including biographies, is set out below.

Chair of the HCPC, Anna van der Gaag, commented:

"The last few years has seen tremendous growth and change for the HCPC.  I am pleased that we have recruited a Council with such a strong mix of skills, ability and experience drawn from all parts of the UK.  This is particularly important for us as we continue working with our stakeholders in order to ensure we carry out our primary purpose of public protection effectively.  I very much look forward to continuing this work with the restructured Council."

Chief Executive and Registrar of the HCPC, Marc Seale, commented;

"I very much welcome the newly appointed Council members and am looking forward to working with them to ensure the highest standards of public protection. Council members play a fundamental governance role in setting the strategy and policy and ensuring HCPC fulfils its statutory duty. They also ensure we maintain efficient regulatory processes and that the standards we set continue to be fit for purpose."

New Short Course - Saturday 12th April 2014 - Staffordshire University

Imaging Interpretation of the Foot and Ankle with a focus on Diabetic Foot

 

This course aims to:

Provide basic imaging (X-Ray) interpreting skills to allow Allied Health Professionals to be able to distinguish the differences between a normal foot and an abnormal foot and how one can use this information for treatment planning.

If you are interested on this course, please click below link for further details:
Imaging Interpretation of the Foot and Ankle with a focus on Diabetic Foot