Gait Analysis in Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Background: Neuropathies are the most common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) which can affect a variety of body systems, including the locomotor, sensory, vestibular and visual system leading to poor balance which can lead to gait abnormalities causing great morbidity and worsening patients' quality of life. Aim of the Work: We aimed to analyze and compare kinematic gait parameters in diabetic peripheral neuropathic patients and healthy controls. Subjects and Methods: Sixty subjects were participated in this study, their ages ranged from 40-60 years. Thirty subjects were diabetic peripheral neuropathic patients, the other thirty subjects were age, weight, height and gender matched healthy controls. Gait analysis was performed for both groups using three-dimensional motion analysis system which consists of: Motion capture unit (a camera system), wand-kit (L-shaped wand and T-shaped wand), serial interface adaptor, personal computer and reflective markers. The Measurement procedures included system calibration, application of markers, first trial to adjust walking path, the qualysis trac capturing image, data processing, editing, calculation and results. Results: The study revealed statistically significant differences between both groups in all variables. Diabetic group had significantly lower values than the control group in the following parameters: Walking velocity (m/sec), cadence (step/min), stride length (m), and angles of the ankle and knee joints (degrees) while for stance time percentage and time of gait cycle (sec), the diabetic group had significantly higher values. Conclusions: Diabetic peripheral neuropathic patients' had significantly lower values of all kinematic gait analysis variables than the healthy controls except for stance time percentage and time of gait cycle which were significantly higher than the control group.