Dr Xanne Janse De Jonge

© 2017 The Author(s).Background: The accurate and reliable measurement of foot bone density is challenging and there is currently no gold standard technique. Such measurement is particularly valuable in populations at risk of foot bone pathology such as in those with long term diabetes. With research and development, computed tomography may prove to be a useful tool for this assessment. The aim of this study was to establish the reliability of a novel method of foot bone density measurement in people with diabetes using computed tomography. Methods: Ten feet in people with diabetes were scanned with computed tomography twice with repositioning. Bone density (in Hounsfield units) was assessed in the trabecular and cortical bone in all tarsals and metatarsals. Reliability was assessed with intra-class correlation coefficients (95% confidence intervals), limits of agreement and standard error of measurement. Results: The reliability of the trabecular density of most bones was excellent with intra-class correlation coefficients ranging from 0.68 to 0.91. Additionally, cortical bone density showed fair to good reliability at the talus (0.52), calcaneus (0.59), navicular (0.70), cuboid (0.69), intermediate cuneiform (0.46) and first metatarsal (0.61). Conclusions: The study established the reliability of a practical method of assessing the trabecular and cortical foot bone density using computed tomography scanning. This methodology may be useful in the investigation of foot bone disease occurring in diabetes and its early diagnosis, intervention and assessment of treatment efficacy. Further development of this method is warranted.

© 2016Aims Neuropathies are common complications of diabetes and are proposed to influence peripheral bone, principally via an altered vascular supply. This study aimed to determine the relationship between subtypes of neuropathy and vascular reactivity on foot bone density in people with diabetes. Methods A case¿control observational design was utilised with two groups: those with diabetic peripheral large fibre neuropathy (n¿=¿23) and a control group with diabetes but without neuropathy (n¿=¿23). Bone density in 12 foot bones was determined with computed tomography scanning. Additionally, post-occlusive reactive hyperemia, presence of small fibre neuropathy and heart rate variability were determined. T-tests and hierarchical regression were used to examine the relationships among the variables. Results No difference in foot bone density was found between those with and those without large fibre neuropathy. Furthermore, no association between heart rate variability or reactive hyperemia and bone density was found. Small fibre neuropathy was associated with increased cuboid trabecular bone density (p¿=¿0.006) with its presence predictive of 14% of the variance. Conclusions This study found no clear association between presence of diabetic neuropathies and foot bone density. Furthermore, vascular reactivity appears to have no impact on bone density.

Background Poor core stability is linked to a range of musculoskeletal pathologies and core-strengthening programmes are widely used as treatment. Treatment outcomes, however, are highly variable, which may be related to the method of delivery of core strengthening programmes. We investigated the effect of identical 8 week core strengthening programmes delivered as either supervised or home-based on measures of core stability. Methods Participants with poor core stability were randomised into three groups: supervised (n=26), home-based (n=26) or control (n=26). Primary outcomes were the Sahrmann test and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) for dynamic core stability and three endurance tests (side-bridge, flexor and Sorensen) for static core stability. The exercise programme was devised and supervised by an exercise physiologist. Results Analysis of covariance on the change from baseline over the 8 weeks showed that the supervised group performed significantly better on all core stability measures than both the home-based and control group. The home-based group produced significant improvements compared to the control group in all static core stability tests, but not in most of the dynamic core stability tests (Sahrmann test and two out of three directions of the SEBT). Conclusions Our results support the use of a supervised core-strengthening programme over a home-based programme to maximise improvements in core stability, especially in its dynamic aspects. Based on our findings in healthy individuals with low core stability, further research is recommended on potential therapeutic benefits of supervised core-strengthening programmes for pathologies associated with low core stability.