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Diabetic sensory neuropathy effect on ankle joint movement perception
G G Simoneau1, J A Derr, J S Ulbrecht
1Program in Physical Therapy, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881, USA.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|May 1, 1996
Summary
Diabetic neuropathy patients with sensory loss also experience impaired ankle movement perception. However, cutaneous sensory tests do not fully predict the severity of ankle joint position sense deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Diabetology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Diabetic neuropathy commonly affects lower extremity sensory function.
- Ankle joint proprioception is crucial for balance and mobility.
- The relationship between cutaneous sensory loss and joint position sense in diabetic neuropathy is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if diabetic subjects with lower extremity cutaneous sensory neuropathy also exhibit loss of ankle joint movement perception.
- To assess the correlation between ankle joint movement perception and cutaneous sensory function in diabetic individuals.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-one subjects (ages 40-68), including diabetic individuals with and without sensory neuropathy and non-diabetic controls, participated.
- Ankle joint movement perception threshold (JMPT) was measured using a custom device.
- Cutaneous sensory function was assessed using vibrometry and Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments.
Main Results:
- Diabetic subjects with sensory neuropathy showed a significant loss of ankle movement perception (p < .01).
- Correlations between JMPT and cutaneous sensory tests ranged from r = .43 to .67.
- The explained variance between JMPT and cutaneous sensory tests was between 18% and 45%.
Conclusions:
- Diabetic neuropathy-related cutaneous sensory loss is associated with impaired ankle joint movement perception.
- Cutaneous sensory tests alone are insufficient to predict the degree of ankle joint movement perception deficits.
- Further research is needed to understand the complex interplay between different sensory modalities in diabetic neuropathy.