Diabetic Foot
Diabetic Foot
An area of research that is a particular focus for IMAR is the diabetic foot. Almost two decades ago, we found that diabetic patients suffered from muscle dysfunction. The tibialis anterior muscle, which decelerates the foot following heel strike during normal walking, showed an abnormal firing pattern in diabetic patients resulting in a forefoot ‘slap’. This increased the pressure under the forefoot and the duration of that contact which facilitate the development of foot ulcers that may ultimately result in amputation when combined with proprioceptive deficiency and/or ill-fitting footwear.
Examples of published articles:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268003399000388
The extensive facilities at IMAR to assess gait, foot pressure analysis and biomechanics have led to a close research working relationship with the Podiatry Unit at Queen Margaret University in evaluating blood flow and diabetic feet in collaboration with the Vascular Unit Dr Faisel Khan and the Diabetic Centre Professor Graham Leese at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School.
Examples of published articles:
http://www.thefootjournal.com/article/S0958-2592(02)00115-3/abstract
http://www.thefootjournal.com/article/S0958-2592(03)00063-4/abstract
