Sobel Edge Detection Method to Identify and Quantify the Risk Factors for Diabetic Foot Ulcers

The purpose of this study is to identify and quantify the neurovascular risk factors for foot problems in patients with diabetes mellitus, which is a major public health concern these days. The most feared factor among the diabetic patients is lower extremity amputation. The sequence of events leading to amputation is initiated by ulceration combined with sensation loss. To prevent complications and amputations it is necessary to detect the foot at risk of plantar ulceration at an early stage of sensation loss. Doctors use imaging test to determine whether the plantar ulceration has spread to upper areas in the leg, and to evaluate the size and location of the ulcer. To locate the ulceration area and assess the severity, doctor's uses an imaging technology, such as ultrasound, fluoroscopy, a computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan, x-ray, or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test, this procedure is called as an image-guided biopsy. To access the severity of foot ulcer, a new method is introduced, which is a popular edge detection method. This method is known as Sobel method, which uses edge detection function for derivative approximation to find edges. The Sobel edge method returns edges at those points where the gradient of the considered image is maximum, so the recognition of risk factors will be analyzed in efficient manner. Based on the severity of foot ulcer, preventive foot maintenance and regular foot examinations will take place in diabetes patients.