Joint mobility and electrical muscle function at ankle in diabetes

Ankle joint is one of the highly evaluated joint in individuals with type 2 diabetes. As diabetes affects both, contractile as well as non-contractile structures, alteration in strength, mobility, endurance and stiffness around ankle is frequently reported. This changes ultimately leads to functional impairments such as abnormal gait pattern, early fatigability, altered balance and increased plantar pressure at some points of sole which elevates the risk of formation of plantar ulcers. The rates of amputation has increased as a result of inability to effectively treat these plantar ulcers, hence hampering individual’s quality of life. The understanding of level of impairments at ankle joint would help us to guide us for planning prophylactic exercise program to prevent further disabling complications of diabetes around the ankle and maintain the quality of life of diabetics. So, this study aimed to measure and compares the ankle joint range of motion and record electrical activity of ankle muscles during MVIC in patients with long term type 2 diabetes and healthy controls.The presented study was conducted by authors at DVVPFs College of Physiotherapy, Ahmednagar.