# ANALYSIS OF INTRINSIC FOOT MUSCLE STRENGTH IN DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY COMPARED WITH HEALTHY CONTROLS

## TL;DR

This study compares foot muscle strength in diabetic patients with and without neuropathy and healthy controls, suggesting dynamometry could help detect early muscle weakness.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in using dynamometry to assess intrinsic foot muscle strength in diabetic patients with neuropathy, potentially aiding early detection.

## Key findings

- Diabetic patients with neuropathy showed reduced muscle strength in specific foot movements compared to controls.
- Dynamometry revealed significant differences in strength measurements between groups.
- The study suggests dynamometry may be useful for early detection of muscle weakness in diabetic neuropathy.

## Abstract

to evaluate the strength of the intrinsic foot muscles in diabetic patients
with and without diabetic peripheral neuropathy, compared to healthy
controls.

a prospective experimental study was conducted with 63 patients divided into
three groups: diabetics with peripheral neuropathy (20), diabetics without
neuropathy (23), and healthy controls (20). Muscle strength was measured
using a digital handheld dynamometer, assessing plantar flexion of the
hallux and toes in two positions (neutral and maximum plantar flexion).
Statistical analyses were performed using R software, with α=0.05 and
β=0.2.

the groups had a mean age of 66 years. Variables with statistically
significant differences (p < 0.05) included Right Hallux – Neutral
Position, All Toes (Right) – Neutral Position, All Toes (Right) – Plantar
Flexion, and Left Toes – Plantar Flexion. Diabetic patients with neuropathy
showed lower medians and interquartile ranges in these variables, indicating
reduced muscle strength compared to controls.

this study explored the strength of the intrinsic foot muscles in diabetic
patients, using dynamometry as an assessment tool. Although no conclusive
evidence was found, it is suggested that dynamometry may be useful in the
early detection of muscle weakness in diabetic neuropathy. Expanding the
study with a larger sample and more data is necessary to validate and refine
the preliminary conclusions, contributing to the monitoring of muscle
deterioration and the effectiveness of treatments.
Level of Evidence II; Prospectived comparative
studye
.