Abstract 67: Oral: Plantar temperature and pressure distribution in subjects with diabetes mellitus and chronic charcot arthropathy – A case control study

Background: Chronic Charcot Arthropathy is a potentially limb- threatening complication of diabetes mellitus. Aim: To assess the plantar temperature and pressure variation on graded ambulation in subjects with diabetes mellitus and chronic Charcot arthropathy in comparison to healthy subjects. Results: A total of 24 cases and 26 controls were included. The mean forefoot temperature was significantly higher in the Charcot's foot of patients when compared to the controls at baseline, after 50, 100 and 200 steps. Graded ambulation resulted in reduction in the mean temperature at all regions. The mean plantar pressure was significantly higher in the Charcot's foot of the patients when compared to the controls at baseline at all three sites. Conclusion: Plantar temperature measurement with Infrared camera could be used as a surrogate marker for shear force in patients with chronic CA to see the hot spots which can be a preceding event for foot ulcer.