Diabetes Ground Control: A Novel System for Correcting Anomalous Stride in Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by several complications, including diabetic foot, a serious problem induced by increased foot plantar pressure during gaiting. This misbehavior intensifies the risk of ulceration, which may lead to minor and major amputations. This study proposes the inclusion of a passive element to correct diabetic stride, namely the Diabetes Ground Control (DGC), a customized latex-based insole designed to perform load redistribution along the entire foot length, and by so minimizing overload and pressure levels on the foot sole of diabetic patients. A mathematical model in state space for the DGC system is proposed and dynamically characterized using polynomial chaos analysis. The inclusion of the DGC element reduced considerably the amplitude of foot pressure oscillations during walking. Hence, the DGC, which can be customized according to the patient's physical characteristics and weight, is a potential instrument for controlling the tensions on the diabetic foot.