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Dynamic Microcirculation Characteristics of Plantar Skin Under Metatarsal Head of Human Foot in Response to Life-Like Pressure Stimulus.

Authors :
Zhang Z
Chen WM
Yang XG
Zhang X
Wang X
Huang J
Zhang C
Geng X
Ma X
Source :
Microcirculation (New York, N.Y. : 1994) [Microcirculation] 2024 Jul; Vol. 31 (5), pp. e12860. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jun 05.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Objective: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a severe complication with high mortality. High plantar pressure and poor microcirculation are considered main causes of DFU. The specific aims were to provide a novel technique for real-time measurement of plantar skin blood flow (SBF) under walking-like pressure stimulus and delineate the first plantar metatarsal head dynamic microcirculation characteristics because of life-like loading conditions in healthy individuals.<br />Methods: Twenty young healthy participants (14 male and 6 female) were recruited. The baseline (i.e., unloaded) SBF of soft tissue under the first metatarsal head were measured using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). A custom-made machine was utilized to replicate daily walking pressure exertion for 5 min. The exerted plantar force was adjusted from 10 N (127.3 kPa) to 40 N (509.3 kPa) at an increase of 5 N (63.7 kPa). Real-time SBF was acquired using the LDF. After each pressure exertion, postload SBF was measured for comparative purposes. Statistical analysis was performed using the R software.<br />Results: All levels of immediate-load and postload SBF increased significantly compared with baseline values. As the exerted load increased, the postload and immediate-load SBF tended to increase until the exerted load reached 35 N (445.6 kPa). However, in immediate-load data, the increasing trend tended to level off as the exerted pressure increased from 15 N (191.0 kPa) to 25 N (318.3 kPa). For postload and immediate-load SBF, they both peaked at 35 N (445.6 kPa). However, when the exerted force exceeds 35 N (445.6 kPa), both the immediate-load and postload SBF values started to decrease.<br />Conclusions: Our study offered a novel real-time plantar soft tissue microcirculation measurement technique under dynamic conditions. For the first metatarsal head of healthy people, 20 N (254.6 kPa)-plantar pressure has a fair microcirculation stimulus compared with higher pressure. There might be a pressure threshold at 35 N (445.6 kPa) for the first metatarsal head, and soft tissue microcirculation may decrease when local pressure exceeds it.<br /> (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1549-8719
Volume :
31
Issue :
5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Microcirculation (New York, N.Y. : 1994)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38837938
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/micc.12860