Diabetic foot ulcers and isolated gastrocnemius tightness

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of isolated gastrocnemius tightness (IGT) in diabetic patients with plantar ulcers in the forefoot using the Silfverskiöld test. Methods: This prospective cohort study consecutively evaluated 50 diabetic patients with Wagner grade I or II ulcers in the forefoot treated
conservatively on an outpatient basis and assessed them for IGT using the Silfverskiöld test. Results: The prevalence of IGT was 66.7%. There was no significant correlation between IGT and the ulcer’s area or depth (Wagner’s classification) or the patient’s insulin use. Conclusion: The prevalence of IGT in diabetic patients with plantar ulcers is high, suggesting that this complicationmay contribute to the development of plantar ulcers.

Level of Evidence II; Prospective Cohort Study.