Ultrasonographic Compressibility of Heel Pads in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Choi, Won Kee; Seo, Kwan Sik; Choi, Jong Woo; Moon, Joon; Kim, Sei Joo

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to evaluate the compressibility of heel pads in patients with diabetes mellitus. METHOD: The subject were twenty control subjects and 20 patients with diabetes mellitus diagnosed at least 5 years previously, over the age of 40. The thickness of heel pads was measured by ultrasonography without pressure and with pressure of 1 kg, 2 kg and 3 kg at the line connecting the second toe and the mid-heel point. The ratio of the thickness of the heel pad with pressure of 1 kg, 2 kg, 3 kg and without pressure, R1 (ratio of the thickness of heel pad with 1 kg and without pressure), R2 (2 kg) and R3 (3 kg), was compared between controls and diabetics.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference of heel pad thickness between controls and diabetics without pressure in sole. The diabetics had greater ratio, less compressibility than controls (p<0.05). The ratio of the control group was R1; 0.67+/- 0.07, R2; 0.53+/-0.07 and R3; 0.45+/-0.07, whereas that ratio of the diabetic group was R1; 0.80+/-0.09, R2; 0.68+/-0.09 and R3; 0.58+/-0.09.
CONCLUSION
The evaluation of compressibility of heel pad of the patients with diabetes mellitus compared with the control group will help to make a treatment of heel pain or discomfort.