Abstract

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the foot load-bearing characteristics of diabetic patients with fifth toe deformity through comparative analysis with diabetic patients with normal foot and healthy. Six female diabetic neuropathic subjects with fifth toe deformity and six age-matched diabetic neuropathic subjects without any foot deformity participated in the test. walk test. The dynamic pressure of bare feet is measured with Novel's EMED force plate. Peak pressure and pressure-time integration for all 7 forefoot, midfoot, lateral forefoot, central forefoot, medial forefoot, forefoot, and other toes were be collected. Peak pressure was significantly higher in patients with toe deformity in the posterior forefoot, midfoot, and big toe region than in the control group. Meanwhile, the force retention time was longer in the big toe region of the deformed group compared with the control group, and the center of pressure was almost located in the big toe region during the toe deformity phase. Diabetics with fifth toe deformity may experience decreased contact area on the sole of the foot in the rest of the toe and increased load on the big toe. Results showed that 5th toe deformity was associated with potential ulcer risk, especially in the big toe region.