Goniometry in limited joint mobility

AIM: To study about the utility of goniometry in screening for limited joint mobility (LJM) in patients attending a secondary level Diabetic Clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomly selected data of 100 patients attending a secondary level diabetic clinic without any complications were used. Baseline neuropathy assessments, namely monofilament and biothesiometry were done. Range of movement around the ankle joint and 1(st) metatarsal joint was done using goniometry. Both the results were compared. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Selected 100 patients attending a secondary level diabetic clinic and on regular follow-up were included in the study. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Sick patients requiring parenteral feeds, IV antibiotics, co-morbid conditions such as microvascular complication, autonomic gastroparesis, and diabetic foot infections were excluded from the study. CONCLUSION: Goniometric screening for LJM is a cheap and effective screening tool for detecting early structural deformity producing a higher plantar pressure and ulcer, and thereby preventing them at early stage.