We described the location of foot ulcers through a chart review of diabetic patients in a Department of Veterans Affairs podiatry clinic and looked for connections between ulcer location and specific medical features. We hypothesized that individuals with diabetes rarely have heel ulcers but that heel ulcers are directly related to peripheral neuropathy and diminished vascular function. We found that patients with reduced vascular function were five times more likely to have heel ulcers than patients with adequate vascular function. The importance of understanding the risk factors for heel ulcers stems from a lack of available treatments. Further research should study the effectiveness of interventions for patients with reduced vascular status.

This pilot study investigated whether lateral-wedge insoles inserted into shock-absorbing walking shoes relieved pain and stiffness and improved walking in people with painful knee osteoarthritis. People with knee pain in the medial knee compartment were asked to wear lateral-wedge insoles in lightweight cushioned walking shoes for 4 weeks. They answered questions about the amount of pain, stiffness, and problems with activity they had before wearing the insoles and after wearing them for 4 weeks. The results of this study showed that the lateral-wedge insoles decreased pain and stiffness and improved functional status in people with knee osteoarthritis. Pain was especially decreased for stair-climbing activities.

We examined differences in strength between total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients and community-dwelling older adults to provide comparative data for therapists who treat THA
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Contact: Stacieanne C. Yuhasz, PhD
yuhasz@vard.org
410-962-1800 x240
VA Research Communications Service
11-Oct-2006