Correlation of Foot Posture, Foot Function with Balance and Gait in Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy

Objective: To assess foot posture, foot function and correlate it with balance in patients with diabetic neuropathy.

Materials and Method: The presence of neuropathy was evaluated using a clinical scale. Foot posture was evaluated using foot posture index. Foot function was evaluated using foot function index. Balance was evaluated using Tinetti's Balance Scale (POMA) and Bergs Balance Scale (BBS).

Results: There is significant correlation of FFI and POMA with BBS with r value of 0.7028 and p value of 0.0008. There is a significant correlation of FFI, POMA and BBS with r value of -0.4491, - 0.4547 and -0.5892 and p value of 0.0188, 0.0172 and 0.0012.there is a significant correlation of duration of diabetes with POMA, BBS with r value of -0.3394 and -0.3504 and p value of 0.0159 and 0.0126. There is a significant correlation of severity of neuropathy with POMA and BBS with r value of - 0.2901 and -0.3165 and p value of 0.0410 and 0.0251.

Conclusion: In this study thus there was a positive correlation of pronated foot with balance, duration of diabetes with balance and severity of neuropathy with balance.