Clinical Foot Findings and Plantar Pressure Assessment in Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Static and Dynamic Measures

Among chronic complications of diabetes mellitus, diabetic foot remains one of the most challenging conditions in clinical practice. Increased and repetitive plantar pressure represents an important etiological factor which, together with neurological, dermatological, musculoskeletal, and vascular components, contributes to the development of plantar tissue damage in people with diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic agreement between commonly used clinical and instrumental methods for the detection of minor and major plantar foot lesions, including the monofilament test and static and dynamic plantar pressure measurement models. This cross-sectional observational study examined both feet of each participant. Minor and major plantar lesions were recorded during clinical foot examination, a 16- point monofilament test was performed, and static and dynamic plantar pressure measurements were obtained for both feet. Each foot underwent three static and three dynamic measurements, resulting in a total of 1,560 measurements. Dynamic plantar pressure measurements showed a higher level of agreement with clinical foot examination compared with static plantar pressure measurements and monofilament testing. Dynamic plantar pressure assessment may represent a useful adjunct method for identifying areas of increased mechanical load on the plantar surface of the foot. However, further longitudinal studies are required to determine its potential clinical value in diabetic foot care.