Conventional deep pressure algometry is not suitable for clinical assessment of nociception in painless diabetic neuropathy

摘要

BackgroundIn diabetic persons with painless neuropathic foot ulceration, foot skin was found to be insensate to noxious pinprick stimulation (stimulation area less than 0.05 mm²), while compression of deep subcutaneous foot tissues by Algometer II^® (stimulation area 1 cm²) could evoke a deep dull aching. To elucidate this discrepancy, the Algometer II stimulation technique was critically reviewed by varying probe sizes and anatomical sites in the same study population 3 years later.