Effect of diabetes mellitus on foot biomechanics and gait dysfunction in patients with diabetic neuropathy: An observational study

An observational study on gait changes in patients with diabetes was conducted on 26 elderly persons (20 males and 6 females), ages varying from 50 to 70 years, in Pravara Rural Hospital in patients. These patients who hadDiabetes Mellituswere screened for demographic data along with other details. A detailed assessment of patients was done using POMA (Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Index). This widely used tool scores 16 items (nine for evaluating balance and seven for assessing gait). Patients with diabetes frequently exhibit a conservative gait strategy with slower walking speed, a broader base of gait, and prolonged double support time. Glycosylation effects were observed in the lower extremities. On observation, it was concluded that there is a reduction in speed and alteration in the balance due to Diabetic Foot, which may be due initially to skin thickness decrease, skin hardness increase tendons thickening muscles atrophy and exhibiting activation delays, bones become less dense joints have limited mobility, etc. Based on the findings of this study, it may be concluded that gait changes do appear in patients with diabetes. These changes, coupled with local soft tissue changes from advanced glycosylated end products, also alter a patient s gait, putting them at risk of foot ulceration. Understanding the biomechanics and the basic anatomy of the foot is essential for managing Diabetic Foot Patients and will also help in planning appropriate interventions and prevention. The needfor further Studies to assess early implementation of the biomechanical changes to improve the Quality of Life is crucial and should be a focus of future research.