Tactile Sensory Feedback System to Predict and Prevent Peak Plantar Pressures

Funding Agency: American Leprosy Mission

The peripheral nerve damage causes significant impairments if not detected and treated early in Leprosy. Impairments further leads to inability in carrying out normal activities of daily living. Different reconstructive surgical procedures help in the correction of the impairments and in regaining the activities that are lost in leprosy affected patients. However there are very few device’s that can predict the site of impairments at an early stage.

This project through the innovative tactile sensory feedback system tries to find out that if the use of a tactile sensory socks providing bio feedback on excessive plantar pressure at a particular point on the foot help in preventing peak plantar pressure which leads to plantar ulceration

The nerve function impairment in leprosy patients leads to the loss of protective sensation and muscle imbalance. Secondary impairments like ulcers and callosities are further developed due to the neglect of the high-pressure prone areas caused due to the nerve function impairment.

The tactile sensory sock would be used in identifying specific pressure prone areas of foot. The peak pressure identified at specific points would help in setting threshold limit and provide bio feedback to the patients for preventing ulcers.

The Schieffelin Institute of Health – Research & Leprosy Centre (SIH-R & LC),
Karigiri, (via Katpadi) – 632106, Vellore District,
Tamil Nadu, India.

Phone: 0416-2274-223

Mobile: 9442274224

Email: directorate@karigiri.org

Web: www.leprosyhealth.org