ACUTE EFFECT OF STRETCHING EXERCISE ON FOOT PLANTAR PRESSURE IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES WITH ANKLE EQUINES DEFORMITY

Abstract

Purpose: Ankle equines deformity, arising from short plantar flexors is known as a contributing factor in ulcer development by increasing the plantar forefoot pressure of type 2 diabetic patients. We aimed to investigate the acute effect of stretching exercise on foot plantar pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes with ankle equines deformity. Methods: Twenty-five type 2 diabetic subjects with ankle equines deformity participated in the study. Because 21 of the subjects have bilateral and four have unilateral equines deformity, a total of 46 feet was analyzed. Equines deformity was defined as less than 0 dorsiflexion of the ankle with an extended knee. A pedobarographic platform was used to measure foot plantar pressure and peak plantar pressures were calculated with masking plantar of the foot to 10 different areas. Same measurements were taken before, just after and one hour later than plantar flexor stretching exercises with 10 repetitions that performed towards the wall. Results: Peak plantar pressures of all metatarsal heads apart from the fourth one were decreased just after the stretching exercises (p<0.01). One hour later, results were similar to the initial values (p>0.05). Conclusion: Forefoot plantar pressure decreased for a short term after the single set of stretching exercises in people with type 2 diabetes having short plantar flexors. Increasing flexibility of plantar flexors with long term exercise programs may decrease the high risk of ulcer development of forefoot in people with diabetes.