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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
07:28
A Protocol of Manual Tests to Measure Sensation and Pain in Humans
Published on: December 19, 2016
What you can't feel can hurt you
1Manchester Royal Infirmary, and the Universities of Manchester, UK. ABoulton@med.miami.edu
Journal of Vascular Surgery
|September 1, 2010
Summary
Diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy, a loss of feeling in the feet, are at high risk for foot ulcers. Regular screening for this condition is vital to prevent serious complications.
Area of Science:
- Podiatry
- Diabetology
- Neurology
Background:
- Medical training often overlooks managing asymptomatic patients with peripheral neuropathy.
- Peripheral neuropathy, the loss of pain, temperature, and pressure sensation, is a major risk factor for diabetic foot ulceration.
- Up to 50% of older patients with type 2 diabetes exhibit sensory loss, increasing their risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the critical need for regular peripheral neuropathy screening in all diabetic patients.
- To highlight that the absence of neuropathic symptoms does not equate to a lack of risk for foot ulceration.
- To underscore the importance of specialized education and frequent podiatrist reviews for at-risk individuals.
Main Methods:
- The study emphasizes the importance of screening for peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients.
- It highlights the correlation between sensory loss and the risk of foot ulceration.
- It discusses the need for specialized education and podiatrist involvement for high-risk patients.
Main Results:
- Peripheral neuropathy is a primary risk factor for diabetic foot ulceration.
- Neuropathic symptoms do not reliably indicate the presence or absence of sensory loss.
- Lack of pain sensation diminishes motivation for injury prevention and wound healing.
Conclusions:
- Regular screening for peripheral neuropathy is essential for all individuals with diabetes.
- Patients with risk factors for foot ulceration require targeted education and podiatric care.
- The absence of symptoms must not lead to complacency regarding the risk of foot ulceration and recurrence.
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