Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and limited joint mobility syndrome (LJMS) are two conditions that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. DPN is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes, and it often affects the legs and feet, causing pain and numbness. On the other hand, LJMS is a condition that restricts the range of motion in the joints, often leading to stiffness and discomfort. Both conditions can lead to increased forefoot peak plantar pressures (PPPs), which is a known risk factor for ulceration, a painful condition where open sores develop on the bottom of your feet.
The recent study aimed to explore the effects of foot and ankle mobilisations combined with home stretches in people with DPN and LJMS. The researchers conducted a proof-of-concept randomised controlled trial (RCT), a type of study that is often used to test the effectiveness of a new treatment or intervention. The results of this study could potentially provide valuable insights into how to manage and treat these conditions, improving the quality of life for those affected.
Before we delve into the study, let’s first understand some of the key concepts. Foot and ankle mobilisations are a type of physical therapy that involves moving the joints in the foot and ankle to improve their function and reduce pain. This can be done by a healthcare professional or through self-mobilisation exercises. Home stretches, on the other hand, are exercises that can be done at home to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness. These exercises are often recommended as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for conditions like DPN and LJMS.
Now, let’s return to the study. The researchers wanted to see if combining foot and ankle mobilisations with home stretches could reduce PPPs in people with DPN and LJMS. PPPs are a measure of the pressure that is placed on the bottom of the foot when walking or standing. High PPPs can lead to ulceration, so reducing these pressures could potentially prevent this painful condition.
The study was a proof-of-concept RCT, which means that it was an early-stage study designed to test whether the treatment could potentially work. It’s important to note that proof-of-concept studies are not definitive; they are used to determine whether a treatment is promising enough to warrant further investigation in larger, more rigorous trials.
The researchers randomly assigned participants to receive either the foot and ankle mobilisations combined with home stretches or a control treatment. This randomisation helps to ensure that any differences observed between the groups are due to the treatment itself and not other factors.
While the abstract does not provide specific details about the results of the study, the fact that it was conducted suggests that there is interest in exploring new ways to manage and treat DPN and LJMS. This is encouraging news for those living with these conditions, as it means that researchers are continually working to find more effective treatments.
In conclusion, this study represents an important step in understanding how physical therapies like foot and ankle mobilisations and home stretches can potentially help people with DPN and LJMS. While we await the full results of the study, it’s clear that this research could potentially lead to new treatment options that could improve the quality of life for those living with these conditions. As always, if you’re living with DPN or LJMS, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider about the best treatment options for you.
To read the full journal article, head to https://jfootankleres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13047-023-00690-4