Poster session 5: Offloading and biomechanics

Poster session 5: Offloading and biomechanics P5.02 Biomechanical characteristics of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy during active ulceration Malindu Fernando, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia Robert Crowther, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia Peter Lazzarini, University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Brisbane, Australia Margaret Cunningham, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom Kunwarjit Sangla, The Townsville Hospital, Queensland, Australia, Townsville, Australia Petra Buttner, The Townsville Hospital, Queensland, Australia, Townsville, Australia Jonathan Golledge, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia, The Townsville Hospital, Quee, Townsville, Australia Aim: Abnormal lower limb biomechanics due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) are known to be a significant contributor to initiating foot ulceration. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify biomechanical characteristics of patients with DPN and chronic plantar foot ulcers compared to type 2 diabetes controls and healthy controls. Methods: 21 type two diabetes patients with active unilateral plantar foot ulcers (DFU group), 69 type two diabetes control patients without ulcers (DMC group) and 56 healthy controls without diabetes or ulcers (HC group) were recruited. Plantar pressure data were collected utilising a three-step protocol and assessed in terms of pressure time integral (PTI), mean pressure (MPP), maximum pressure (MSP), and contact area (CA). Three dimensional movement analyses data relating to temporospatial-parameters (TSP), kinematics, kinetics and muscle activation patterns were collected using a standard protocol. Results: PTI was consistently higher in the DFU group at the midfoot and forefoot on both the ulcerated (p