Pad placement affects plantar pressure

[Guest guest]

Biomechanics April 2006

Pad placement affects plantar pressure

By: Lori Rochelle Roniger

http://biomech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=185302961

Optimal metatarsal pad placement in the footwear of individuals with

diabetes and peripheral neuropathy significantly reduces plantar

pressure, according to a presentation given at the APTA CSM by

Hastings, PT, DPT, ATC, an assistant professor of physical therapy

and surgery at Washington University in St. Louis.

Hastings measured the peak plantar pressure of 20 diabetic subjects

with peripheral neuropathy while wearing extra-depth shoes under

three conditions: while wearing a total contact insert only or a

total contact insert and either a proximal or distal metatarsal pad.

Computed tomography scans determined the relationship of the

metatarsal pad to the second metatarsal head.

Metatarsal pads placed between 6.1 mm and 10.6 mm proximal to the

metatarsal head line resulted in significant peak plantar pressure

reduction compared to wearing only the total contact insert, while

some distal placements yielded plantar pressure increases.

But, Hastings emphasized, no one pad placement is right for everyone.