New on-line methods for analysis of walking foot pressures in diabetic neuropathy

In this paper, studies are performed on a large number of diabetic patients belonging to different classes, using new on-line foot pressure parameters, i.e. normalized peak pressure (NPP) and pressure contact ratio (PCR), which include effects of the weight of the subject, velocity of walking and duration of high pressures in any region of the foot. A statistical study of the mean maximum value of these parameters in different plantar areas of the feet, for different classes of diabetic subjects, indicates distinguishing trends and hence could aid the clinician in better diagnosis and therapy planning. The NPP and PCR transforms calculated on-line (using specially developed software) help the clinician to quickly determine the heavily loaded foot areas that are potential sites of ulceration in insensitive feet and take the necessary action to prevent further damage to the foot sole.