Author(s)

Fitri Anestherita^*, Ibrahim Agung, Nelfidayani Nelfidayani, Andri Setiawan Kokok, Johanes Putra

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Objective: To observe extrinsic foot muscle activity ratio and sensory disturbance in Leprosy and its implication to foot deformity and walking capacity. Design: Cross sectional study in Singkawang, West Kalimantan. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three leprosy patients without walking aids and/or orthotic prosthetic were enrolled using consecutive sampling. Foot deformity score was calculated and muscle activity was measured using surface EMG. Muscle activation ratio was calculated in Tibialis anterior-to-Gastrocnemius (TA/GA) and Tibialis Anterior-to-Peroneal (TA/PE). Walking capacity was assessed using Timed up and Go test. Results: Significant differences of foot ulcer (p = 0.001) and foot deformities (p = 0.001) were found in plantar sensory deficit group. There was strong correlation between foot deformities and decreased TA/GA ratio (p = 0.001, r = ﹣0.787) and decreased TA/PE ratio (p = 0.001, r = ﹣0.663). There were significant differences of TA/GA ratio (p = 0.00) and TA/PE ratio (p = 0.09) based on the foot ulcer, and no significant difference of Timed Up and Go Test result within plantar sensory deficit group (p = 0.427). No significant correlation was found between walking capacity and TA/GA ratio (p = 0.055), and TA/PE ratio (p = 0.165). Conclusion: Plantar sensory deficit and decreased extrinsic muscle activation ratio during gait had been proven to affect foot impairment, but have not been proven to inhibit walking capacity.

Leprosy, Foot Impairment, Walking Capacity, Muscle Activity

Anestherita, F. , Agung, I. , Nelfidayani, N. , Kokok, A. and Putra, J. (2021) Foot and Ankle Muscles Activation and Plantar Sensory Deficit in Leprosy and Its Implication to Foot Deformity and Walking Capacity. Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 9, 123-131. doi: 10.4236/ojtr.2021.94010.