Benedictine Khor

Project Title: Elastography and ultrasound of the Achilles tendon and plantar soft tissues in Diabetes

My doctoral research explores the causes of Diabetic Foot Ulceration.

Diabetic Foot Disease can lead to deleterious consequences, with sequelae of complications often ensuing from a non-healing foot ulcer. Recent research suggests the disease process of diabetes can compromise the function of tendons and soft tissues, making the foot more vulnerable to injury from external mechanical stresses. However, it is not understood how and to what degree this interplay of internal and external risk factors act to result in ulcerations.

By utilising the imaging techniques of elastography and ultrasound, my study aims to understand the relationship between tissue properties and foot function in their combined contribution towards diabetic foot ulceration risk. Should unique differences in structural and functional properties be evident in people with a current or positive history of foot ulceration, those at greatest risk could potentially be identified and pre-emptive measures devised to prevent ulceration from occurring.

Benedictine Khor is a first year Carnegie Scholar (2018-19) in Podiatry, Glasgow Caledonian University. Her research is supervised by Prof Jim Woodburn and Dr Ruth Barn.